In a striking diplomatic breakthrough, the Trump administration has secured the freedom of 10 U.S. citizens detained in Venezuela through a complex prisoner swap.
According to The Hill, this exchange involved the return of over 250 Venezuelan men, previously deported by the U.S. to El Salvador, back to their home country, alongside the release of an undisclosed number of Venezuelan political prisoners.
The deal, announced on Friday, marks a significant moment in U.S.-Venezuela relations, which have been strained for years under the Maduro regime.
The 10 Americans had been held in Venezuela under what U.S. officials described as questionable circumstances, with little regard for due process. Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the detentions, emphasizing the importance of their release. "It is unacceptable that Venezuelan regime representatives arrested and jailed U.S. nationals under highly questionable circumstances and without proper due process," Rubio stated.
As part of the agreement, the U.S. facilitated the return of over 250 Venezuelan men who had been deported earlier this year. These individuals were sent to El Salvador’s CECOT prison, a facility notorious for its harsh conditions, in March under the Trump administration’s use of the Alien Enemies Act. The deportation targeted men accused of ties to the Tren de Aragua gang, though evidence supporting these claims has been widely criticized as flimsy.
Many of the accusations against the deported men hinged on tattoos, some of which were unrelated to gang activity. Examples include markings referencing autism or football teams, casting doubt on the validity of the government’s claims. Reports from the Cato Institute noted that at least 50 of the men, for whom immigration records were available, had entered the U.S. legally.
Among the returned Venezuelans is Andry Hernandez Romero, a gay makeup artist who fled persecution in Venezuela due to his sexuality and political beliefs. Hernandez Romero sought asylum in the U.S. by legally entering through a port of entry, and he has no criminal record. His tattoos, claimed by the government to indicate gang affiliation, are said by friends to represent Three Kings Day celebrations from his hometown.
Hernandez Romero is also a lead plaintiff in a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s invocation of wartime powers for deportations. Several judges in related cases have ruled that the administration overstepped its authority in targeting alleged gang members this way. A New York Times investigation revealed that only 32 of the men sent to CECOT faced serious criminal accusations, while most had no records beyond immigration violations.
The Venezuelan men endured months in CECOT, a prison known for its severe environment, under a contract where the U.S. paid millions to the Salvadoran government. Questions linger about the treatment they faced during their four-month imprisonment without trial. Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, a senior fellow at the American Immigration Council, expressed hope that their release might shed light on these conditions.
"Once the Venezuelans are released, we will hopefully also learn what happened to them during their four months of imprisonment without trial in El Salvador under contract by the United States — how they were treated and what conditions were like," Reichlin-Melnick posted on X. Many of these men had originally fled Venezuela to escape persecution or torture under the Maduro regime. Reichlin-Melnick also questioned their future, asking, "Will the regime again throw them in jail, or will their new public profile protect them?"
The swap was the result of months of negotiations, complicated by the lack of diplomatic relations between Venezuela and El Salvador. Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele acknowledged the difficulty of the talks on X, crediting the outcome to persistent efforts and faith. "This operation is the result of months of negotiations with a tyrannical regime that had long refused to release one of its most valuable bargaining chips: its hostages," Bukele wrote.
"However, thanks to the tireless efforts of many officials from both the United States and El Salvador, and above all, thanks to Almighty God, it was achieved," he added. In addition to the Americans and Venezuelan men, an undisclosed number of Venezuelan political prisoners were released as part of the deal. Their future residence and exact number remain unspecified by U.S. or Salvadoran authorities.
Rubio welcomed the release of these political detainees, urging an end to the Maduro regime’s use of detention for political repression. "We also welcome the release of Venezuelan political prisoners and detainees that were also released from Venezuelan prisons," Rubio said. "The regime’s use of unjust detention as a tool of political repression must end," he continued.
The successful return of the Venezuelan men raises questions about the U.S. government’s prior claims of being powerless to secure the release of deportees abroad. Observers are watching to see if this deal sets a precedent for future negotiations involving deported individuals. For now, the focus remains on the safe return of the Americans and the uncertain fate of those sent back to Venezuela.