Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has condemned the deportation of over 200 Venezuelan migrants from the U.S. to El Salvador, labeling it as a “kidnapping.” He claims the deportees are not criminals and advocates for their return. This situation further strains U.S.-Venezuela relations, with Maduro vowing to increase efforts for repatriation and gather support from Venezuelans.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has condemned the deportation of over 200 Venezuelan migrants from the United States to a high-security prison in El Salvador, describing the event as a form of “kidnapping.” He asserted that those deported are not criminals and called for their immediate return. In his remarks, Maduro indicated, “Nayib Bukele should not be an accomplice to this kidnapping, because our boys did not commit any crime in the United States, none.”
Maduro emphasized that the deportees received no trial or proper legal representation, claiming they were deceived and forcibly removed. He stated his government will officially request the return of these individuals from El Salvador and announced plans to collect millions of signatures from Venezuelan citizens to support this demand.
This incident escalates tensions between Washington and Caracas, following U.S. President Trump’s assertion that the deportees were members of the Tren de Aragua gang. Despite a court’s intervention to block the deportation, Trump implemented the removal under an 18th-century law, calling the migrants part of a “bad group of, as I say, hombres.” Along with the Venezuelans, 23 Salvadorans were also deported under this agreement between the U.S. and El Salvador.
The deported individuals were sent to CECOT, a notorious facility known for severe inmate treatment, which has been criticized by human rights organizations. Subsequent protests in Caracas saw demonstrators express their outrage, highlighting their personal connections to those deported and affirming that they are not criminals. Maduro called for solidarity, stating, “I celebrate that millions of men and women from Venezuela have come out to support the families of these young Venezuelans…”
The White House has not presented evidence linking the deported persons to criminal activity, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) claimed a comprehensive review confirmed their connections. However, the identities of those deported remain undisclosed. Past deportees have also claimed wrongful targeting associated with their tattoos or origins, as illustrated by Daniel Simancas Rodríguez’s experiences.
In response, Maduro announced his intention to increase repatriation flights for Venezuelan migrants held in the United States, aiming to restore dignity and support to those affected and facilitate their return to Venezuela.
In summary, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has condemned the U.S. deportation of Venezuelan migrants, labeling it as a kidnapping and asserting that these individuals are not criminals. The tense relations between Venezuela and the United States have escalated due to this event, leading Maduro to call for widespread support and action for the return of those deported. His government plans to increase repatriation efforts and gather support from Venezuelans to challenge the deportations and protect the rights of migrants.
Original Source: tribuneonlineng.com
