The president of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro, has criticized the expulsion of more than 200 Venezuelan immigrants from the U.S. to a maximum-security facility in El Salvador, referring to this move as an "abduction" and asserting that these individuals are not offenders. Additionally, he has expressed backing for their repatriation.
"Nayib Bukele shouldn’t be complicit in this abduction since our youngsters didn't perpetrate any crimes in the United States, none at all," Maduro stated to his supporters on Wednesday, speaking about the leader of El Salvador, who has a pact with US President Donald Trump.
"They weren’t taken to trial; they didn’t receive the opportunity for legal representation or a fair hearing. They were misled, restrained with handcuffs, forcibly placed on an aircraft, abducted, and transported to a detention facility in El Salvador," Maduro further stated.
Since assuming power in 2013, Maduro has maintained a firm grip on Venezuela’s leadership. He announced that his government would send an official request to El Salvador for the return of the deported Venezuelans, gathering “millions” of signatures from Venezuelan citizens in support of the demand.
During the weekend, Trump utilized an 18th-century war measure to order the deportation of 238 Venezuelans, alleging their connection to the Tren de Aragua gang, even though a court had issued an injunction aiming to prevent these deportations.
This step has exacerbated tensions between Washington and Caracas even more. Supporting his decision, Trump claimed that the U.S. was dealing with an "influx" of immigrants and referred to those being deported as "a tough bunch, as I call them, guys."
US Deports Hundreds of Venezuelans Despite Court Order; Trump Ends Temporary Protected Status for 500,000 Haitian Migrants; Japan: Under Labor Government, 19,000 Illegal Immigrants Were Deported - StatesmanIn addition to the Venezuelans, another 23 individuals from El Salvador were also expelled pursuant to agreements between the United States and El Salvador. These deportees were transferred to the Counter-Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) located in Tecoluca, El Salvador—a detention center notorious for its severe treatment of inmates. Various human rights groups have condemned the living conditions within this jail, deeming them cruel and a breach of fundamental human rights.
On Tuesday, people in Caracas, Venezuela, marched to demonstrate against deportations. Several protesters claimed they identified family members in videos circulating in the media that depicted those who had been deported. Family members of these expelled men vehemently stated that they were not involved in criminal activities and called for officials to help bring them back home.
I am delighted that millions of men and women from Venezuela have taken part by signing petitions to formally request the government of El Salvador to release these young Venezuelans from captivity," President Maduro said. "I also emphasize the importance of ensuring they are not subjected to any form of degradation and call for their prompt return.
The White House has not provided any proof connecting the deported Venezuelan individuals to Tren de Aragua, which is a criminal group tied to activities such as human trafficking, drug smuggling, and money laundering. Earlier this year, in January, President Trump labeled both Tren de Aragua and the El Salvador-based MS-13 gang as foreign terrorist organizations.
The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency has justified the deportations, asserting that they carried out an extensive examination of the individuals involved to confirm their ties to criminal organizations. Nevertheless, the identities of those who were deported remain undisclosed.
Certain individuals from Venezuela who were formerly expelled under the Trump administration have refuted any connection to criminal organizations. For example, Daniel Simancas RodrÃguez stated that he was unjustly accused because of his tattoos and his background in Maracay, which happens to be where the gang originated. According to him, he spent 15 days detained at Guantanamo Bay prior to being sent back to Venezuela.
On Wednesday, Maduro ordered his administration to boost repatriation flights for Venezuelan migrants who were held in the United States.
"We will repatriate all detainees with the aim of restoring their respect, dignity, and providing support as they return to their home country and reunite with their families," he declared.
(CNN)
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