Nicolás Maduro vehemently condemned Nayib Bukele's offer to release 252 imprisoned Venezuelans in El Salvador's CECOT megaprison in exchange for the release of political prisoners in Venezuela. Maduro called Bukele a serial human rights violator and demanded proof of life for the detainees, access for lawyers and families, and an end to forced disappearances.
Venezuela's attorney general, Tarek William Saab, also demanded information about the detainees and requested the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker TĂĽrk, to intervene. Venezuela initiated efforts with a Salvadoran law firm, but diplomatic channels remain severed, leading to communication primarily via social media and statements.
Maduro accused Venezuelan opposition figures MarĂa Corina Machado and Leopoldo LĂłpez of supporting the deportations, claiming they are Bukele's advisors. He compared Bukele's actions to Nazism, highlighting the alleged violations of human rights.
The article notes that the number of political prisoners in Venezuela exceeded 1,800 after the July 28 elections, with most being protesters. While some releases have occurred, the NGO Foro Penal still registers over 800 political prisoners. The situation of the deported Venezuelans is further complicated by the fact that they were sent to El Salvador under accusations of gang affiliation.
Families of the detained Venezuelans, some of whom haven't seen their relatives since a video released by Bukele, are increasingly worried. They are taking legal action, including habeas corpus filings, but remain uncertain about the fate of their loved ones. The case of Kilmar Abrego GarcĂa, a Salvadoran deported by mistake, also highlights the complexities of the situation. Families are mobilizing and protesting for the release of their relatives.
The article includes personal accounts of families impacted by the deportations, such as Mercedes Yamares, whose son Mervin is detained, and the story of Andry Hernández, an actor who was deported after crossing from Mexico into the United States.