Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has denounced the U.S. deportation of over 200 Venezuelans to El Salvador as “kidnapping.” He insists they are not criminals and is seeking their return, supported by widespread protests in Venezuela. The deportations were ordered by former President Trump, who claimed connections to criminal gangs, though evidence remains undisclosed.
Nicolas Maduro, President of Venezuela, has condemned the recent deportation of over 200 alleged Venezuelan gang members to a mega-prison in El Salvador as a blatant act of “kidnapping.” He firmly stated that these individuals are not criminals and has demanded their return, as reported by foreign media.
During a speech to supporters, Maduro addressed El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele, insisting that he should not participate in this oversight: “Nayib Bukele should not be an accomplice to this kidnapping, because our boys did not commit any crime in the United States, none.” He elaborated that the deportees were denied due process, referring to the actions taken against them as akin to being deceived and forcibly transported.
Maduro declared intentions to send an “official document” to El Salvador, formally requesting the return of the deportees. He indicated that this request would be supported by millions of signatures from Venezuelan citizens. The deportation has caused substantial outrage in Venezuela, prompting protests in Caracas, where citizens expressed solidarity with the deportees and their families, asserting their innocence in relation to criminal activities.
In a reported commitment, Maduro stated his government would enhance efforts to repatriate Venezuelan migrants confined in the United States, assuring them of returning “with respect, dignity, support, and a return to their homeland and families.”
The deportations were executed under directives from Donald Trump, who alleged that the individuals were connected to the Tren de Aragua criminal gang. The operation included 238 Venezuelans and 23 Salvadorans and took place during the weekend. This group has been linked to serious crimes such as human trafficking and drug smuggling, being branded a foreign terrorist organization by the Trump administration.
Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to sanction the deportations, claiming a necessary response to an “invasion” of migrants, and labeled the deportees as members of a “bad group.” Despite this, the White House has yet to provide substantial evidence substantiating the connections between the deportees and the alleged gang activities, and the specific identities of the individuals deported remain undisclosed.
In summary, President Nicolas Maduro has voiced strong opposition to the deportation of 238 Venezuelans to El Salvador, labeling it as “kidnapping” and demanding their return. The actions taken have spurred significant protests in Venezuela, emphasizing the belief in the innocence of those deported. Furthermore, Maduro’s government has committed to enhanced repatriation efforts, while the U.S. administration maintains its stance regarding the alleged links of these individuals to organized crime.
Original Source: www.newsx.com
