Nicolás Maduro has condemned the US deportation of over 200 Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador, calling it a “kidnapping” and supporting their return. He claims the deportees are innocent and plans to submit a formal request for their repatriation. This incident reflects ongoing tensions between the US and Venezuela regarding migrant policies and human rights.
Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro has denounced the deportation of over 200 Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador, branding it a “kidnapping.” He asserted that these individuals have not committed any crimes and expressed support for their return. Maduro stated, “Nayib Bukele should not be an accomplice to this kidnapping, because our boys did not commit any crime in the United States, none.”
He emphasized that the deported individuals were not afforded legal protections, alleging they were misled and forcibly transported to a detention facility in El Salvador. Maduro’s government plans to submit an official request for their return, supported by millions of signatures from Venezuelan citizens.
This escalation comes as President Donald Trump invoked an historic law to deport migrants allegedly associated with the Tren de Aragua gang, despite legal challenges. Maduro pointed out that the deportees, held at the notorious Counter-Terrorism Confinement Center in Tecoluca, face inhumane conditions, as reported by human rights organizations.
Venezuelans protested in Caracas, demanding the return of loved ones amongst the deported. Maduro acknowledged these calls, stating, “I celebrate that millions of men and women from Venezuela have come out to support the families of these young Venezuelans with their signatures.”
The White House has not substantiated claims linking the deportees to criminal gangs, despite Trump’s earlier designation of Tren de Aragua and MS-13 as terrorist organizations. Meanwhile, ICE confirmed that there was a review process to determine the criminal affiliations of those being deported, though specific identities remain undisclosed.
Maduro reiterated his government’s commitment to repatriate Venezuelan migrants, stating, “We are going to return all migrants who have been detained to give them respect, dignity, support, and to return to their homeland and their families.”
CNN has reached out for comments from both the El Salvador Presidency and the US Department of State.
In summary, Nicolás Maduro has condemned the US deportation of Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador, referring to it as a “kidnapping” and affirming their innocence. He has called for their official return, supported by a significant petition. This incident highlights ongoing tensions between the US and Venezuela amid allegations of human rights abuses and wrongful deportations. Maduro’s government is taking actionable steps to facilitate the repatriation of detained Venezuelan migrants.
Original Source: www.cnn.com
