A. M. The President of the Republic, Nayib Bukele, officially received the ten U.S. citizens released by the regime of Nicolás Maduro, after a complex humanitarian operation promoted by the salvadoran diplomacy in coordination with the United States. This action is part of the initiative proposed by Bukele in april, which consisted of offering the exchange of 252 members of the criminal group Tren de Aragua, held in the CECOT, for political prisoners detained in Venezuela.
Despite the difficulties of negotiating with an authoritarian regime, the diplomatic efforts achieved concrete results: in addition to the ten U.S. citizens, 80 venezuelan political prisoners, who had been persecuted and imprisoned for their ideals and convictions, were released. This achievement represents a milestone in salvadoran foreign policy and a significant step forward in the defense of human rights in the region.
During the official ceremony, President Bukele underscored the difficulty of the process, but also the determination and collaboration that made it possible. He especially thanked the Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs, Adam Boehler, the Secretary of State, and former President Donald J. Trump, who contributed to the successful negotiation with the venezuelan government.
Adam Boehler publicly recognized the work of the salvadoran President, highlighting the strong bilateral relationship between El Salvador and the United States. Boehler emphasized that this operation demonstrates the joint commitment to protect the life and liberty of its citizens, even in adverse geopolitical contexts.
With this action, President Bukele’s government reaffirms its firm commitment to the defense of freedom, regional security, and the fight against organized crime. It also consolidates El Salvador as a key player in the diplomatic and humanitarian sphere of the American continent.
