Nicolás Maduro condemned the U.S. deportation of over 200 Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador, calling it a “kidnapping” and denying their criminality. He announced plans to officially request their return, backed by public support. The deportees were sent to a notorious prison, raising human rights concerns. Protests have erupted in Venezuela, demanding justice for the deported individuals.
In a recent statement, Nicolás Maduro, the President of Venezuela, condemned the deportation of over 200 Venezuelan migrants by the United States to El Salvador, labeling it a “kidnapping.” He asserted that these individuals are not criminals and expressed support for their return. Maduro urged Nayib Bukele, the President of El Salvador, not to participate in what he described as a violation of justice and human rights, emphasizing that the deportees did not receive a fair trial or defense.
Maduro intends to present an official request to El Salvador, which will include millions of signatures from Venezuelan citizens advocating for the return of the deported migrants. The recent deportations were initiated by the Trump administration, which claimed that these individuals are affiliated with the Tren de Aragua gang, despite a court ruling attempting to block the deportation. During the incident, Trump referred to the deported individuals as “a bad group of, as I say, hombres.”
The migrants, along with 23 Salvadorans, were relocated to CECOT, a maximum-security facility in El Salvador, known for its harsh conditions, as part of a bilateral agreement. Human rights organizations have criticized the treatment of prisoners at this facility. Protests erupted in Caracas, where families of the deportees expressed their anguish, asserting that their relatives are not affiliated with any criminal activity.
Maduro reiterated his commitment to advocate for the release of the deported individuals, stating, “I celebrate that millions of men and women from Venezuela have come out to support the families of these young Venezuelans with their signatures… and return them to us sooner rather than later.” The White House has yet to substantiate the claims regarding the migrants’ alleged gang affiliations.
The ICE agency confirmed that it thoroughly examined the backgrounds of those individuals prior to deportation but has not disclosed their identities. Some deportees from previous administrations have claimed they were falsely accused due to superficial indicators such as tattoos. Maduro affirmed that his government would increase repatriation flights for Venezuelan migrants detained in the United States, advocating for their dignity and support as they return to their homeland.
In summary, Nicolás Maduro has denounced the U.S. deportation of Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador as a form of kidnapping and has pledged to secure their return with public support. He criticizes the actions of the Trump administration and expresses concern for the treatment of those housed in CECOT. Protests in Caracas highlight the emotional strain on families and call attention to the alleged injustices surrounding these deportations, while the ICE claims thorough vetting of criminal affiliations.
Original Source: www.cnn.com
