Venezuelans Released from Salvadoran Jail in Major Immigration Turnaround

In a significant development, hundreds of Venezuelans caught in former President Donald Trump’s immigration efforts were unexpectedly released from a maximum-security prison in El Salvador, marking the end of a challenging and public ordeal.

The 252 men, who faced accusations of gang affiliation with little evidence, were confined in the notorious CECOT “anti-terror” facility since last March. There, they were subjected to harsh conditions—shackled and shorn, they became visible symbols of the immigration crackdown that sparked widespread outrage.

After several months of legal battles and extensive political maneuvering, the men finally returned home, arriving at an airport near Caracas. “Today, we have handed over all the Venezuelan nationals detained in our country,” tweeted Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, bringing a sense of closure to families who had been left in the dark for far too long.

The poignant return of these men led to emotional reunions, as family members celebrated the news after months of uncertainty. Many had been deported from the United States under seldom-used wartime provisions and were denied their rights to court hearings.

Exiled Salvadoran rights organization Cristosal has indicated that only seven of the 252 detainees possessed criminal records, raising serious questions about the fairness of their treatment.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro expressed gratitude towards the former President, thanking Trump for “the decision to rectify this totally irregular situation.” The excitement was palpable on both sides of the border, with American families also eager to welcome back their loved ones. One individual had spent nearly a year in custody.

According to Global Reach, an NGO that advocates for wrongly detained Americans, one notable release was that of 37-year-old Lucas Hunter, who had been “kidnapped” by Venezuelan border guards while vacationing in Colombia earlier this year. His sister, Sophie Hunter, shared her anticipation: “We cannot wait to see him in person and help him recover from the ordeal.”

Uruguay’s government also reported that one of its citizens, residing in the United States, was freed after spending nine months in Venezuelan detention. Additionally, another flight landed at Maiquetia Airport earlier Friday, bringing back 244 Venezuelans deported from the U.S. along with seven children, whom Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello described as having been “rescued from the kidnapping to which they were being subjected.”

As the Trump administration prioritized a crackdown on migration, agreements with Maduro have led to the repatriation of undocumented Venezuelans back to their home country. Official data points to over 8,200 individuals returned to Venezuela from the U.S. and Mexico since February, including approximately 1,000 children.

The Venezuelans detained in El Salvador faced severe restrictions, lacking basic rights like phone calls or family visits, with relatives struggling to obtain proof of life. CECOT, constructed as part of Bukele’s campaign against criminal gangs, was funded in part by U.S. financial support to house these detainees.

Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have condemned these detentions, labeling them a violation of fundamental human rights. As we reflect on these events, the path toward justice and reform remains uncertain, but the resilience of those affected shines through.

Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International–Monitoring