El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele criticized Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro for rejecting a prisoner swap proposal, intending to exchange Venezuelan deportees for political prisoners. Maduro demanded the release of 250 Venezuelans and accused Bukele of human rights violations, while Bukele questioned Maduro’s commitment to freedom for these detainees. The interaction reflects longstanding animosities and conflicting political visions between the two leaders.
On Tuesday, El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele criticized Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro for rejecting his proposal for a prisoner swap. This proposal aimed to exchange Venezuelan deportees from the United States held in El Salvador for those whom Bukele claims are political prisoners in Venezuela.
Maduro demanded the release of 250 Venezuelans detained in a mega-prison established by Bukele for gang members. In his televised address, he accused Bukele of violating rights and dignity, urging him to grant unconditional freedom to the deportees instead of engaging in a swap.
In response, Bukele mocked Maduro on X, questioning his commitment to securing the release of Venezuelans in El Salvador. Their ongoing conflict reflects deep political divides, with both leaders criticized for their democratic and human rights records. Bukele has increasingly aligned himself with U.S. leadership, contrasting sharply with Maduro’s governance.
Among the individuals Bukele seeks to release are various political figures, including the son-in-law of a former presidential candidate and asylum seekers in the Argentine Embassy. Bukele’s initial proposal also identified the mother of opposition leader María Corina Machado, who remains under alleged police surveillance.
The Venezuelan government responded angrily, demanding a complete list of detained Venezuelans in El Salvador along with their health details. Bukele reiterated his proposal on social media, referencing a recent prisoner swap conducted between Venezuela and the Biden administration.
In summary, the exchange of criticisms between President Bukele of El Salvador and President Maduro of Venezuela revolves around a proposed prisoner swap that seeks to release Venezuelan deportees in exchange for political prisoners. The tension between the two leaders continues to highlight their contrasting political ideologies and the challenges both face regarding human rights and democratic governance. The rejection of Bukele’s proposal by Maduro underscores the fraught relations between their governments.
Original Source: apnews.com
