dinero_admin President Nayib Bukele has confirmed the release of all venezuelan citizens detained in El Salvador, as part of an exchange agreed with the Venezuelan regime. This decision is part of a strategy that seeks to free hostages and political prisoners held by the Venezuelan government, in a diplomatic move of high regional impact.
As detailed by the president in his official X account, many of the individuals handed over were facing serious charges, including murder, robbery, and rape. This bold and controversial step comes after months of complex negotiations with a regime that, in the words of President Bukele, “had refused to release one of its most valuable bargaining chips: its hostages”.
In exchange for the alleged TDA members, Venezuela has released both political prisoners and all U.S. citizens held captive. The released prisoners are now in transit to El Salvador, where they will make a brief stopover before completing their journey home, generating anticipation and relief among their loved ones.
This operation highlights El Salvador’s determination in the fight against transnational organized crime and in the defense of its national interests. Bukele concluded his statement by urging the public to maintain “patience and trust”, underlining the complexity of the decisions taken for the security and sovereignty of the country.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio thanked the Government of El Salvador for the cooperation developed to make it possible for 10 Americans who were detained in Venezuela to return to their nation. “I want to thank my team at the State Department and especially President Nayib Bukele for helping to secure an agreement for the release of all our U.S. detainees, in addition to the release of the venezuelan political prisoners”, he said.
