Background on the Situation
In a recent development, El Salvador’s government has agreed to send 238 Venezuelan detainees from its high-security CECOT prison to Caracas in exchange for the release of five American citizens and five permanent US residents held in Venezuela, according to two US government officials speaking to Reuters.
Who are the People Involved?
The Venezuelans were transferred to El Salvador in March following US President Donald Trump’s invocation of the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to swiftly deport alleged members of the Tren de Aragua gang, bypassing regular immigration procedures.
Why is this Relevant?
The families of many Venezuelans and their lawyers deny any gang affiliations, stating that they were not given the opportunity to contest the Trump administration’s accusations in court. Meanwhile, Venezuela has consistently condemned the detention of its citizens by CECOT as a violation of human rights and international law. However, critics argue that Venezuela maintains activists and opposition figures under similar conditions within the South American nation.
The Exchange Agreement
- El Salvador’s Role: The Central American country will send the 238 Venezuelans detained in CECOT to Caracas.
- Venezuela’s Role: In return, the Venezuelan government will release five American citizens and five permanent US residents into their custody.
Reactions and Non-Responses
Neither the Venezuelan Ministry of Communication and Information nor El Salvador’s Presidency responded to requests for comment. The US Department of State declined to comment, while the White House and the US Department of Homeland Security did not respond promptly.
Historical Context
This situation stems from the Trump administration’s efforts to rapidly deport alleged gang members, bypassing standard immigration procedures. The Venezuelan government has long criticized El Salvador’s detention of its citizens, claiming it violates human rights and international law. Critics, however, assert that Venezuela similarly holds activists and opposition figures under questionable conditions.
