El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele proposed a humanitarian agreement to exchange 252 deported Venezuelans for an equal number of political prisoners held by Venezuela’s Maduro regime. This comes amidst U.S. deportation controversies and Bukele’s claims about the nature of the Venezuelan detainees compared to those imprisoned in Venezuela.
President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador has proposed a prisoner exchange with Venezuela, suggesting to trade 252 Venezuelans recently deported to his country by the United States for an equivalent number of political prisoners currently held by President Nicolas Maduro’s regime. Bukele articulated his proposal through a message on social media, emphasizing that he seeks a humanitarian agreement.
The Salvadoran President, who recently met with U.S. officials, insisted that the Venezuelans in custody were part of a crackdown on gangs such as Tren de Aragua, which the U.S. now classifies as a terrorist organization. Over a month’s span, 288 individuals identified by the previous administration as gang affiliates were deported to El Salvador, where the U.S. government is compensating Bukele’s administration to detain them in a notorious prison.
Conflicts have emerged between the Trump administration and the judiciary concerning the deportations, with recent Supreme Court rulings pausing these actions under the 18th-century Alien Enemies Act, leading to concerns about constitutional integrity and executive power accumulation. Bukele asserted that while some Venezuelan detainees in El Salvador are accused of serious crimes, Maduro’s political prisoners are detained solely for opposing his government.
In his message, Bukele called for the release of notable Venezuelan political prisoners, including Rafael Tudares and journalist Roland Carreno, as well as various citizens from diverse backgrounds. The proposed exchange represents a significant diplomatic overture amid regional tensions surrounding governance and human rights issues.
In summary, President Nayib Bukele’s proposal for a prisoner exchange with Venezuela highlights the complexities of international diplomacy amid political turmoil. By advocating for the release of political prisoners, he distinguishes between crimes committed by Venezuelans deported to El Salvador and the political motivations behind the detainment of Maduro’s opponents. This initiative not only seeks to address human rights concerns but also reflects ongoing geopolitical tensions and the impacts of U.S. immigration policies.
Original Source: www.iosconews.com
