Venezuela, US Swap Prisoners in El Salvador Deal
252 Venezuelans Repatriated Amid Abusive Conditions Allegations
A significant prisoner exchange has occurred between the United States and Venezuela, brokered by El Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele. The deal saw the repatriation of 252 Venezuelans from a high-security detention center in El Salvador back to their homeland.
Venezuelans Detained in CECOT Speak Out
The 252 Venezuelan nationals were held at El Salvador’s Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) following their deportation from the U.S. in March. Reports from Telesur shared testimonies from some released individuals describing their confinement as “kidnapping” and detailing harsh conditions, including sleeping on metal plates and frequent beatings.
The mother of Óscar González Pineda, a tile installer arrested in Dallas, Texas, expressed relief at his return, asserting he had no ties to the Aragua Train criminal organization. These deportations were reportedly carried out under a 1798 U.S. law allowing the removal of nationals from “enemy” nations. President Bukele maintained that all detainees were involved in criminal activities, though concrete evidence was not presented.
Human rights organizations have repeatedly raised concerns regarding the severe conditions within the Salvadoran facility, suggesting that even tattoos could be misinterpreted as gang affiliations by U.S. authorities.
Concerns about arbitrary detentions and lack of due process were highlighted, with relatives reporting that some individuals legally residing in the U.S. were expelled without recourse.
Americans and Venezuelan Dissidents Released
In exchange for the repatriated Venezuelans, Venezuela’s government released ten U.S. citizens and an undisclosed number of Venezuelans considered political prisoners by Washington. The U.S. State Department confirmed the identities of the ten Americans, including dual French-American national Lucas Hunter, who was reportedly arrested in Venezuela after being forced across the border from Colombia.
Sophie Hunter, Lucas’s sister, expressed immense gratitude for his release, stating, “We cannot wait to see him in person and help him recover.” U.S. Navy Petty Officer First Class Wilbert Joseph Castañeda Gómez was also among those freed. His family maintained his innocence, calling him a “political pawn” of the Maduro regime.
“We have prayed for him every day for almost a year,” said his brother, Christian Castañeda. “But we knew that President Trump wouldn’t leave behind a decorated signal.”
“We are happy to be outside and you can receive the treatment and help you deserve, and that you can celebrate your next 38 birthday with your family in freedom.”
—Christian Castañeda, Brother of Wilbert Joseph Castañeda Gómez
Venezuela’s government claims the released Americans committed serious crimes against the state, while the U.S. views them as unjustly detained. The inclusion of Venezuelan political prisoners in the deal was reportedly a proposal from Bukele in April, aiming to secure the release of opponents and critics of the Maduro government.
Este es el avión que trae de regreso a Venezuela a 252 de nuestros hermanos. Una operación histórica. #ElSalvador #CECOT #Vzla #USA pic.twitter.com/x9k3n4wJ8D
— Nayib Bukele (@nayibbukele) July 19, 2025
This exchange does not alter existing U.S. sanctions on Venezuela nor does it signal a restoration of diplomatic relations.
