El Salvador’s President Critiques Maduro Over Prisoner Swap Rejection

El Salvador’s President Bukele criticized Venezuela’s Maduro for rejecting a proposed prisoner swap involving Venezuelan deportees and political prisoners. Maduro called Bukele a violator of rights and demanded the release of detained Venezuelans. Bukele’s challenges to Maduro’s commitments reflect the ongoing political animosity and diverging ideologies of both leaders.

El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele criticized Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro for rejecting his proposal to swap imprisoned Venezuelan deportees from the U.S. for political prisoners held in Venezuela. Bukele made this announcement on Tuesday, emphasizing the importance of dialogue amidst the tension between both nations’ leaders.

In a recent televised address, Maduro demanded the immediate release of 250 Venezuelans detained in an El Salvador mega-prison, attributing their plight to Bukele’s administration. He described Bukele as a “serial violator of the right to freedom, fair treatment, and human dignity” and called for a decree granting unconditional freedom to the deportees.

Responding to Maduro’s claims, Bukele questioned whether Maduro would follow through on his previous assertions to secure the release of Venezuelan detainees. The exchange between the two leaders highlights their ongoing animosity driven by conflicting political ideologies, especially since both have faced criticism for their democratic and human rights records.

Bukele’s proposal included freeing individuals like the son-in-law of former presidential candidate Edmundo González, opposition leaders seeking asylum, and prisoners from various nations. This proposal triggered an aggressive reaction from Maduro’s government, demanding a detailed list of Venezuelans detained in El Salvador and their health conditions.

Overall, Bukele reiterated his proposal on social media, referencing a recent prisoner swap between Venezuela and the Biden administration. He challenged Maduro’s commitment to his word regarding the liberation of detainees, further escalating the verbal conflict between the two nations.

The exchange between Presidents Bukele and Maduro illustrates the deep-seated tensions and political discord between El Salvador and Venezuela, compounded by diverging ideologies and human rights concerns. Bukele’s proposal for a prisoner swap underscores an attempt to assert national sovereignty and engage in international dialogue, despite Maduro’s dismissive stance on the matter.

Original Source: apnews.com