Venezuelan immigrants were detained in Central American country because of Trump’s migratory policy; Americans were detained by the Maduro government
Venezuela released 10 US citizens and residents on Friday (18.Jul.2025) in exchange for the return of more than 250 Venezuelan immigrants who were detained in El Salvador.
Venezuelan immigrants had been deported by the United States to the Central American country months ago during the implementation of US President Donald Trump’s migratory policies.
The Tripartite Agreement of Venezuela, the United States and El Salvador benefits both Trump and the Venezuelan President, (Socialist Party of Venezuela, left).
The negotiation has made a proposal presented months ago by President Salvadoran, (Nuevas Ideas, right), according to the agency (Associated Press)which accompanied the development of negotiations from the beginning.
In March, the government of El Salvador With a Trump government’s $ 6 million payment to house Venezuelans at CECOT (Terrorism Confinement Center), a megaprinion built to house alleged gang members during Bukele’s campaign against organized crime.
Prison of Venezuelans
The Venezuelan deportation operation caused controversy when Trump invoked the law of foreign enemies, 18th century legislation, to quickly remove men that his government accused of belonging to the gang “Aragua Train”.
The dispute reached the US Supreme Court, but the US government had no evidence that supported these accusations.
Human rights groups documented hundreds of deaths and torture cases within the El Salvador megaprinion. Maduro said some of the Venezuelans were subjected to various forms of abuse, and one of them would have lost a kidney “Due to the beatings it received“.
Arrest of the Americans
The Americans were trapped in different facilities in Venezuela. No details were disclosed about specific accusations against released US citizens.
“Thanks to the leadership of the president of the United States, 10 Americans who were detained in Venezuela are on the way to freedom”The Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, declared in an X (former Twitter) publication.
