El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele has proposed a humanitarian agreement to exchange 252 Venezuelan deportees for an equal number of political prisoners held by Venezuela. Bukele emphasizes the legitimacy of his detainees’ status while criticizing the political imprisonment practices of the Maduro regime. This development underscores ongoing diplomatic tensions and the humanitarian implications involved.
El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele has proposed a prisoner exchange with Venezuela, offering to repatriate 252 Venezuelan nationals deported to El Salvador by the United States. In a communication on the social media platform X, he articulated his desire for a humanitarian agreement to secure the release of an equal number of political prisoners currently held by President Nicolas Maduro’s regime.
During his recent visit to the White House, President Bukele stated that all Venezuelans in custody had been apprehended as part of a crackdown on gangs, such as Tren de Aragua, in the United States. In the past month, a total of 288 migrants suspected of gang involvement have been deported to El Salvador, with the U.S. government financing their incarceration in the notorious CECOT prison.
Tensions have arisen between the Trump administration and judicial authorities due to the ongoing deportations, highlighted by a recent Supreme Court ruling that imposed a temporary halt on removals under the Alien Enemies Act. This legal turmoil has raised concerns about the administration’s adherence to constitutional principles.
President Bukele emphasized the contrasting nature of the detainees by stating, “Unlike our detainees… your political prisoners have not committed any crime. The only reason they are imprisoned is because they have opposed you and your electoral frauds.” He specifically mentioned prominent Venezuelan political prisoners he aims to facilitate the release of, including Rafael Tudares, journalist Roland Carreno, and activist lawyer Rocio San Miguel, among others.
Additionally, Bukele noted the imprisonment of 50 citizens from various nations, including Americans, Europeans, and Latin Americans, underscoring the international implications of the political situation in Venezuela.
In summary, President Nayib Bukele has proposed a significant humanitarian exchange with Venezuela, aiming to trade deported Venezuelans for political prisoners held by Nicolas Maduro’s government. This proposal reflects ongoing tensions regarding migration policies and political oppression in Venezuela, highlighting the complexities of international diplomacy. The contrasting fates of those detained underscore the broader issues of justice and political freedom in the region.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
