El Salvador Proposes Controversial Swap: U.S.-Deported Venezuelans for Maduro’s Political Prisoners

El Salvador Proposes Controversial Swap: U.S.-Deported Venezuelans for Maduro’s Political Prisoners

In a surprising diplomatic move on Sunday, El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele proposed a high-stakes exchange with the Venezuelan government: 252 Venezuelans deported from the United States and currently imprisoned in El Salvador would be sent to Venezuela, in return for the release of political prisoners held by the Maduro regime.

The proposal was made public in a post on X (formerly Twitter), where Bukele directly addressed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, asking him to hand over 252 political detainees in exchange for the deported migrants. While Bukele didn’t clarify whether the political prisoners would be re-incarcerated upon arrival in El Salvador, the offer sent shockwaves through the region’s political and human rights communities.

🇻🇪 Who’s on the List?

Bukele’s proposal named high-profile figures such as:

• Roland Carreño, a Venezuelan journalist detained since 2020,

• Rocío San Miguel, a prominent human rights lawyer,

• Corina Parisca de Machado, mother of opposition leader María Corina Machado, reportedly under daily threat at her home.

The Salvadoran president also included nearly 50 foreign nationals — including U.S., German, and French citizens — in the proposed prisoner swap.

While El Salvador's Foreign Ministry plans to deliver the proposal formally through diplomatic channels, Venezuela’s Ministry of Communication has so far remained silent.

🇺🇸 U.S. Deportation Sparks Global Debate

This diplomatic chess move comes on the heels of a controversial deportation wave. In March, the Trump administration deported at least 200 Venezuelans from the U.S. to El Salvador, claiming they were tied to the Tren de Aragua, a transnational criminal gang. To support the detentions, the U.S. is paying El Salvador $6 million to hold these individuals in the nation’s high-security Terrorism Confinement Center.

But questions loom large over the validity of these accusations. The Venezuelan government has denied that the deported migrants are criminals, and lawyers representing the detainees claim they have no affiliation with gangs. Families of the migrants say their loved ones were unfairly profiled and unjustly imprisoned.

Adding to the controversy, on Saturday the U.S. Supreme Court issued a temporary stay, halting the deportation of another group of Venezuelans under a rarely used wartime provision. The court acted in response to an emergency request from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which argued that the migrants were being denied due process. While the Trump administration urged the court to reject the ACLU's petition, it has so far complied with the ruling — even as President Trump doubles down on his broader immigration crackdown.

⚖️ Political Prisoners or Criminals?

One of the most contentious aspects of the proposed deal is Venezuela's denial of holding political prisoners. According to the Maduro government, all incarcerated individuals have been convicted of legitimate crimes. However, international watchdog groups paint a different picture. Numerous NGOs report that more than 800 people are imprisoned in Venezuela for political reasons, ranging from journalists and activists to opposition figures and students.

Human rights advocates have long called for their release, and Bukele’s proposal — while controversial — has refocused global attention on their plight.

🌍 Geopolitical Implications

Bukele’s offer is not just a humanitarian maneuver — it’s a geopolitical statement. By inserting himself into the international human rights debate and immigration conflicts between the U.S. and Latin America, Bukele is positioning El Salvador as a key player on the regional stage. His Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) speech in 2024, where he aligned with U.S. conservatives, may hint at broader ambitions for international influence.

Critics, however, see the proposal as a publicity stunt. Some suggest Bukele is attempting to shift attention away from human rights criticisms at home or to score points with the U.S. ahead of future aid negotiations.

🔍 What Comes Next?

For now, the ball is in Maduro’s court. If Venezuela engages with the proposal, it could set a precedent for unconventional diplomatic exchanges in the region. If they reject it, Bukele’s bold move may still serve to highlight the plight of political prisoners — and the murky politics of deportation and detention.

What’s clear is that the story is far from over. With legal battles brewing in the U.S., silence from Caracas, and growing scrutiny from the international community, the proposed swap could be one of the most unexpected diplomatic dramas of 2025.