El Salvador’s Bukele Critiques Maduro’s Rejection of Prisoner Swap
El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele criticized Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro for rejecting a proposed prisoner swap involving Venezuelan deportees in El Salvador. Maduro demanded the release of 250 Venezuelans in exchange for political prisoners. Bukele’s sarcastic remark on social media illustrates their contentious relationship, underlined by contrasting political ideologies and national criticisms.
El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele has publicly condemned Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro for dismissing his proposal for a prisoner swap. The exchange was meant to involve Venezuelan deportees from the United States who are being held in El Salvador in return for what Bukele describes as “political prisoners” in Venezuela. The proposal highlights ongoing tensions between the two leaders and their contrasting political ideologies.
Maduro has demanded the release of 250 Venezuelans imprisoned in an El Salvador mega-prison, constructed to detain gang members. In his televised address, Maduro claimed that President Bukele is a “serial violator of the right to freedom, fair treatment, and human dignity.” He urged Bukele to issue a decree granting unconditional freedom to the deportees instead of engaging in an exchange.
In response, Bukele taunted Maduro through a post on X, questioning why the Venezuelan leader, known for expressing willingness to do “whatever it takes” for the release of detained Venezuelans, rejected the swap. This ongoing dispute reflects the strained relations between Bukele and Maduro, each facing criticism over democratic and human rights issues in their respective countries.
Bukele’s proposal included several notable individuals: the son-in-law of a former Venezuelan presidential candidate, political leaders seeking asylum in the Argentine Embassy, and 50 individuals from various countries. The proposal also mentioned the mother of opposition leader María Corina Machado, who allegedly has been under police surveillance since January.
The Venezuelan government reacted angrily, demanding that Bukele provide comprehensive information on all detained Venezuelans, including their health status. Bukele reinforced his proposal, referencing Venezuela’s earlier prisoner exchange facilitated by the Biden administration for a Maduro associate, reiterating his call for cooperation on this matter.
In conclusion, President Nayib Bukele’s proposal for a prisoner swap with Venezuela highlights the deep-seated animosity between him and President Nicolás Maduro. Bukele’s offer to exchange detained Venezuelans for political prisoners remains unaccepted, reflecting divergent political approaches and ongoing criticisms of each leader’s governance. The fiery rhetoric exchanged between the two indicates a complex relationship influenced by broader geopolitical considerations and domestic challenges.
Original Source: apnews.com
