Bukele proposes prisoner swap with Venezuela, sparking diplomatic tensions

Department of Research and Strategic Studies and International Relations  21-04-2025

In a controversial diplomatic move, El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele has suggested a prisoner exchange with Venezuela, offering to repatriate 252 Venezuelans currently detained in El Salvador in return for the release of political prisoners held by President Nicolás Maduro’s government.

During a public statement on Sunday, Bukele proposed that Caracas release 252 individuals described as political detainees, including prominent figures such as journalist Roland Carreño, human rights attorney Rocío San Miguel, and Corina Parisca de Machado, the mother of Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado. The Salvadoran president also requested the release of nearly 50 additional foreign nationals, including citizens of the United States, Germany, and France.

While Bukele did not clarify what would happen to the deported Venezuelans upon their return, his proposal has drawn sharp criticism from Venezuelan officials. Chief Prosecutor Tarek William Saab condemned the initiative as “cynical,” and accused Bukele’s administration of illegally detaining the migrants without due process. Saab demanded full disclosure on the legal basis for their detention and whether the individuals had access to legal representation or contact with their families. In an official statement, the Venezuelan prosecutor’s office labeled Bukele a “neofascist” and described the treatment of Venezuelan migrants in El Salvador and the United States as a violation of international human rights, going so far as to call it a potential “crime against humanity.”

The detainees in question were deported earlier this year from the United States to El Salvador. U.S. authorities claimed they were affiliated with the Venezuelan criminal group Tren de Aragua. The migrants are currently held at El Salvador’s high-security Cecot facility, known for its strict conditions and its use in counter-terrorism efforts. The U.S. government is reportedly funding the detentions, contributing $6 million to support El Salvador’s role in housing them.

Despite Venezuelan denials, many non-governmental organizations argue that political repression remains rampant in the country. According to these groups, more than 800 individuals are currently imprisoned for political reasons, though the Venezuelan government insists that all inmates have been convicted of legitimate criminal offenses. Furthermore, both family members and legal representatives of the deported Venezuelans dispute any connection to gang activity, countering the allegations made by U.S. authorities.

The U.S. special envoy for hostage affairs, Adam Boehler, voiced support for Bukele’s initiative, noting that ten American citizens are among those potentially included in the swap.

Meanwhile, legal controversy surrounding U.S. deportation practices continues. Over the weekend, the U.S. Supreme Court temporarily halted the deportation of another group of Venezuelans under a seldom-used wartime statute. This came in response to an emergency appeal by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), challenging the legality of the Trump administration’s actions. Although the administration pushed for the Supreme Court to deny the request, it ultimately complied with the court’s stay and made no immediate move to override the ruling.

Bukele’s government has stated that the formal proposal will be delivered to Venezuela through official diplomatic channels.