El Salvador’s Bukele Proposes Bold Prisoner Swap with Maduro to Bring Back Venezuelans Deported from the U.S.

Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele made headlines recently with a bold proposal for a prisoner exchange with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. He suggested that he would swap 252 Venezuelan deportees, held in El Salvador, for the same number of what he calls "political prisoners" in Venezuela.

On social media platform X, Bukele criticized Maduro, saying that many of these detainees are imprisoned merely for opposing his regime. He mentioned various individuals, including the family members of prominent political figures and activists detained during recent government crackdowns in Venezuela.

Bukele’s proposal highlights the strained relations between the two countries and has sparked discussions about the humanitarian implications. He plans to instruct El Salvador’s foreign ministry to reach out to Maduro’s government, but it’s unclear how Maduro will respond.

This exchange comes at a time when El Salvador itself is facing international scrutiny. Many of the Venezuelans and Salvadorans deported by the previous U.S. administration had little evidence against them. Those deported are now held in a notorious mega-prison known as the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT), part of Bukele’s aggressive campaign against gangs.

Recent incidents, like the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland father married to a U.S. citizen, have drawn backlash. Legal battles have erupted over his return, adding to the growing concerns surrounding human rights violations in El Salvador.

El Salvador’s archbishop, José Luis Escobar Alas, publicly urged Bukele not to let the country turn into a "big international prison," emphasizing the need for compassion.

As tensions rise, some experts warn about the implications of Bukele’s proposal. Political analysts suggest that using prisoner exchanges as a bargaining tool may be risky, especially if it doesn’t lead to real changes in human rights conditions in Venezuela.

Overall, this development reflects not only the complexities of international relations in the region but also the ongoing challenges faced by vulnerable populations caught in the crossfire.

For further insights on the situation, you can refer to The Associated Press, which provides additional context and information.

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