In a notable political proposal, Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele suggested a prisoner swap with Venezuela, aiming at a humanitarian exchange between the two nations. This exchange would involve trading Venezuelan nationals deported from the United States and currently detained in El Salvador for individuals Bukele terms “political prisoners” in Venezuela.
Addressing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro via the social media outlet, formerly known as Twitter, Bukele detailed several figures imprisoned in Venezuela during a significant electoral suppression effort in recent months. Among these, he named relatives of prominent opposition members, journalists, and activists who have all been targeted by the Venezuelan government. Bukele argued these individuals were imprisoned unjustly, solely for opposing Maduro’s administration and alleged electoral manipulations.
Bukele’s proposal involves the repatriation and release of 252 Venezuelans currently detained post-deportation, in return for Venezuela releasing the same number of political detainees it holds. He specifically identified the son-in-law of past Venezuelan presidential contender Edmundo González, candidates seeking refuge in the Argentine embassy, and a host of detained citizens from various countries. Bukele also referenced the mother of opposition leader María Corina Machado, mentioning how authorities cornered her residence earlier this year.
In response to his proposition, Venezuela’s prosecution arm sternly rebuked Bukele, castigating his comments as “cynical,” and labeled him “neofascist.” Venezuela insisted on receiving detailed information regarding the imprisoned Venezuelan nationals, including their legal status and health conditions. The statement denounced the treatment of Venezuelans in both the United States and El Salvador, describing it as a grave violation of human rights and suggesting it parallels crimes against humanity.
This bold initiative from Bukele emerges amidst heightened international inspection over El Salvador’s treatment of deportees, both Venezuelan and Salvadoran. Many of these deportees are accused by the previous U.S. Trump administration of gang affiliations without substantial proof. They remain confined in a sizeable penitentiary known as the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT), a product of Bukele’s aggressive crackdown on gang activities in El Salvador.
Controversy around the situation escalated with the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident with U.S. citizenship ties, wrongfully deported under similar accusations. The U.S. Supreme Court has ordered his repatriation, yet the timeline for fulfilling this directive remains unclear.
El Salvador’s archbishop, José Luis Escobar Alas, voiced opposition to Bukele’s approach on Sunday, urging him not to let the nation transform into an “international prison” on a grand scale. Despite these criticisms, Bukele stands by his stance, asserting that all detainees captured are involved with criminal operations like the Tren de Aragua gang in the U.S.