Prisoner Swap Signals Diplomatic Shift Between El Salvador and Venezuela

El Salvador facilitated the release of Venezuelan detainees in an exchange for Americans imprisoned in Venezuela, President Nayib Bukele announced on Friday. The exchange, reported by Reuters earlier in the day, concluded with freed Americans heading home via El Salvador.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed gratitude towards President Bukele for securing the release of ten American citizens detained in Venezuela. The Venezuelan government confirmed the reciprocal release of 252 Venezuelans who had been held in what it termed an El Salvadoran 'concentration camp'.

The original detention was a result of U.S. President Donald Trump's invocation of the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, which allowed for their swift deportation based on alleged gang affiliations. Many of these Venezuelans, their families, and lawyers dispute the allegations, claiming the detention contravenes human rights norms while Venezuelan officials criticize it as a violation of international law.

(With inputs from agencies.)