El Salvador’s President Criticizes Maduro Over Rejected Prisoner Swap Proposal

El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele criticized Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro for rejecting a prisoner swap proposal. Bukele’s plan aimed to exchange Venezuelan deportees from the U.S. for political prisoners held in Venezuela. Maduro demanded the release of 250 Venezuelans instead, reflecting the ongoing animosity and contrasting political views between the two leaders.

The President of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele, publicly criticized Nicolás Maduro, the President of Venezuela, for rejecting his proposal for a prisoner swap. Bukele’s plan involved exchanging Venezuelan deportees from the United States detained in El Salvador for what he described as “political prisoners” in Venezuela. Maduro has insisted on the immediate release of 250 Venezuelans held in a mega-prison built to contain gang members, accusing Bukele of violating fundamental rights.

In a televised address, Maduro called for Bukele to instead issue a decree granting unconditional freedom to the Venezuelan deportees. This exchange of rhetoric reflects the long-standing animosity between the two leaders, who embody starkly different political ideologies. Both governments have faced scrutiny over their democratic practices; however, Bukele has openly favored relationships with U.S. leadership while Maduro is often criticized for his authoritarian regime.

Among the individuals Bukele seeks to have released are the son-in-law of a former Venezuelan presidential candidate, several political asylum seekers, and roughly 50 citizens from various countries. Additionally, Bukele’s initial proposal referenced the mother of opposition leader María Corina Machado, who is reportedly surrounded by police at her residence since January.

The Venezuelan government responded with anger, demanding a complete list of detained Venezuelans in El Salvador along with their health status. In reiterating his proposal on social media, Bukele cited a recent prisoner swap that occurred between Venezuela and the Biden administration, questioning Maduro’s commitment to releasing the detainees.

In summary, tensions between El Salvador and Venezuela have escalated following the rejection of a prisoner swap proposal by President Maduro. El Salvador’s President Bukele accused Maduro of human rights violations while advocating for the release of various detainees. This ongoing conflict underscores the contrasting political landscapes of both nations and their leaders.

Original Source: apnews.com