El Salvador Proposes Prisoner Swap with Venezuela Amid Growing Tensions

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador — El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele proposed on Sunday a controversial prisoner exchange with Venezuela, suggesting the return of 252 Venezuelan deportees held in his country in exchange for the release of an equal number of Venezuelan political prisoners.

In a post on the social media platform X, Bukele directly appealed to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, stating, “I want to propose you a humanitarian agreement calling for the repatriation of 100% of the 252 Venezuelans who were deported, in exchange for the release of the identical number from among the thousands of political prisoners that you hold.” Bukele’s proposal comes amidst ongoing tensions between the two countries.

Many of the deported Venezuelans, according to Bukele, face serious criminal charges such as rape and murder, whereas the Venezuelan political prisoners are incarcerated for opposing Madudo’s government, which has faced accusations of electoral fraud. Rights groups dispute Venezuela’s claim that it has no political prisoners, highlighting a growing international concern over human rights.

Venezuela’s chief prosecutor, Tarek William Saab, responded sharply to Bukele’s offer, questioning the legitimacy of the deportees’ detainment. He demanded clarity on the crimes they were accused of and whether they had access to legal representation. Saab, referring to Bukele’s proposal as cynical, emphasized that the treatment of the detainees constitutes a violation of international laws.

In his message, Bukele also mentioned nearly 50 individuals from various nationalities—including U.S., German, and French nationals—who are included in the proposed prisoner exchange. Adam Boehler, the U.S. special envoy for hostage response, expressed support for Bukele’s initiative, confirming that 10 Americans were among those being proposed for release.

This proposal comes after the Trump administration has deported over 200 Venezuelans to El Salvador, labeling them as members of the Tren de Aragua criminal gang. The U.S. government has allocated $6 million to El Salvador for the detention of these migrants in a high-security facility known as the Terrorism Confinement Center, further drawing attention to the harsh conditions these deportees face.

Bukele identifies himself as a defender of human rights, yet his administration has been criticized for the mass detentions of alleged gang members with scant evidence. Salvadoran Archbishop José Luis Escobar Alas cautioned against allowing El Salvador to become an “international prison.”

The proposal highlights the ongoing complexities in U.S.-Latin American relations and raises serious questions about the treatment of detainees in both countries. The Bukele administration’s push for this exchange may test diplomatic relations with Venezuela and further complicate El Salvador’s standing on the global stage.