Venezuela President Nicolás Maduro described the detention of Venezuelan citizens at the ELCOT TERROISM CONFINING CENTER in El Salvador as seizureafter being deported from the United States. Maduro also assured that he will seek immediate repatriation of detainees so that they can return to their families.
“What crime one of our young people, one of our migrants, committed? What crime did he commit in El Salvador to be kidnapped in El Salvador?” Asked the Venezuelan leader during a television appearance.
On Sunday (16), the government of US President Donald Trump intensified the deportation of hundreds of immigrants allegedly affiliated with the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, under the law of foreign enemies. The expulsions were made without due process of law and although a federal judge temporarily blocked the Trump government’s ability to apply the controversial law.
The president defended the use of the law arguing that there is a “invasion” of migrants, but the US government did not provide evidence of the alleged bonds of detainees with gangs.
In response to the questions of CNN Regarding the criticism of the Maduro President, the government of El Salvador said it respects the human rights of people in custody “without distinction of nationality” and stated that their prison system meets the standards of security and order.
The arrests have been part of the policy of Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele to contain gang violence. While the government claims that they have improved security, critics argue that they led to, and also denounced the conditions of prisons as inhuman.
Venezuela Vice President Delcy Rodríguez said on Monday that all the Venezuelan government’s efforts are directed to “rescue those who have been kidnapped,” and ensured that Venezuelan migrants are not terrorists or criminals.
Regarding arrests and deportations, the Unit Democratic Platform (PUD), a political alliance of opposition led by María Corina Machado and Edmundo González, has asked for a distinction between Venezuelans who emigrate due to the humanitarian crisis that afflicts the country and “the minority of Venezuelan migrants who may have allegedly committed crimes”.
The United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) summoned the families of migrants to a demonstration on Tuesday (18) at Plaza Moreos, in Caracas, to demand that the deported be returned to the country.
The Venezuelan government issued a warning asking those planning to travel to the United States to consider the risks of “an increase in arbitrary immigration control measures,” which he described as “harassment.”
