Venezuela on Friday released 10 jailed U.S. citizens and permanent residents as part of a three-nation agreement involving the United States and El Salvador. This deal facilitated the return of more than 250 Venezuelan migrants deported by the U.S. to El Salvador under the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. The arrangement marks a diplomatic success for Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and fulfills a prisoner swap proposal initiated by Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele.
At the core of the deal were the Venezuelan migrants held in El Salvador’s notorious Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT), a mega-prison known for harsh conditions, alleged torture, and limited legal access. These detainees were accused—without public evidence—of gang affiliations and were deported under a $6 million agreement funded by the Trump administration. Their release sparked emotional scenes as many returned home, visibly shaken and tearful.
Maduro praised the day as “a day of blessings,” while Bukele confirmed El Salvador had handed over all Venezuelan detainees in its custody. Maduro also accused Salvadoran authorities of mistreating some migrants, alleging severe abuse, including one man losing a kidney. Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said the returnees would undergo medical exams and background checks before reintegrating into society.
The swap follows months of diplomatic negotiations, including a controversial proposal by Bukele to exchange Venezuelan detainees for Maduro’s political prisoners, which Venezuelan officials harshly criticized. The U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed gratitude to Bukele and celebrated the return of the Americans as a victory against wrongful detainment.
The freed U.S. citizens arrived at Joint Base San Antonio, where families greeted them warmly. Among them was Lucas Hunter, kidnapped by Venezuelan border guards while vacationing in Colombia, whose release brought relief to his family. The prisoner exchange highlights ongoing complex diplomacy and immigration issues involving all three nations.
