Bukele Proposes Prisoner Swap with Maduro for Venezuelan Deportees

Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele proposed a prisoner swap with Venezuela, seeking to exchange 252 Venezuelan deportees for political prisoners held by Nicolás Maduro. He emphasized humanitarian grounds for the exchange, addressing the detainment of families of opposition figures and journalists. The proposal raises concerns over El Salvador’s treatment of deported individuals, amid calls for reform from local leaders.

Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele has proposed a prisoner exchange with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, aiming to swap Venezuelan deportees detained in El Salvador for Venezuelan political prisoners. In a post on X, Bukele urged for the release of 252 political detainees in Venezuela in return for repatriating the same number of Venezuelan nationals currently held in his country’s prisons.

Bukele cited several political figures, journalists, and family members of activists who have reportedly been imprisoned for opposing the Venezuelan government. He mentioned individuals including the son-in-law of former candidate Edmundo González and the mother of opposition leader María Corina Machado, stating that their detainment stems from their resistance against Maduro’s regime and alleged electoral fraud.

He indicated plans to engage with the Salvadoran foreign ministry to facilitate negotiations with the Maduro administration, which has yet to respond to his proposal. This initiative comes amid ongoing scrutiny over El Salvador’s treatment of deported Venezuelans and Salvadorans, many of whom have been imprisoned in the government-built Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT), part of Bukele’s efforts against gang violence.

Recently, the situation has become more controversial following the deportation of American citizen Kilmar Abrego Garcia, leading to legal disputes over his repatriation. Meanwhile, Archbishop José Luis Escobar Alas urged Bukele to avoid transforming El Salvador into a “big international prison.” In defense of his actions, Bukele stated that all individuals held are involved in operations against gangs like the Tren de Aragua in the United States.

In summary, President Nayib Bukele’s proposal for a prisoner swap with Nicolás Maduro highlights ongoing tensions surrounding political detentions in Venezuela. Bukele seeks to repatriate 252 Venezuelans in exchange for an equal number of political prisoners held by the Maduro government. This exchange proposal occurs amid international scrutiny of El Salvador’s handling of Venezuelan deportees and the implications of its incarceration policies. The situation remains complex with potential humanitarian concerns and diplomatic negotiations ahead.

Original Source: www.haltonhillstoday.ca