El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele proposed a humanitarian agreement to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The deal involves repatriating 252 Venezuelans deported from the United States to El Salvador in exchange for the release of an equal number of Venezuelan political prisoners.
Since March, the U.S. has deported Venezuelans and Salvadorans accused of gang affiliation to El Salvador, where they are held. Many of the deported Venezuelans were found not to have criminal records, sparking protests and condemnations. Maduro previously accused Bukele of complicity in a “kidnapping”.
Bukele's proposal includes the release of nearly 50 detained citizens of other nationalities, including Americans. This is in response to the detention of at least 68 foreign passport holders in Venezuela, according to Foro Penal.
Bukele claims El Salvador doesn't hold political prisoners, asserting that all detained Venezuelans were apprehended during anti-gang operations.
Venezuela's Attorney General, Tarek William Saab, demanded the immediate release of the detained Venezuelans and requested proof of life and medical reports.