Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has condemned the U.S. deportation of over 200 alleged gang members to El Salvador, calling it a “kidnapping.” He has denied any criminal allegations against the deportees, insisting they were deprived of due process and intends to seek their return. The deportations, linked to claims of gang affiliation, sparked protests across Venezuela, with Maduro pledging to intensify efforts for repatriation.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has condemned the deportation of over 200 alleged Venezuelan gang members by the United States to a significant prison in El Salvador, labeling it as a “kidnapping.” He refuted claims that the deportees were criminals and advocated for their return to Venezuela. Maduro emphasized that the deportees were not given fair trials or legal representation, referring to their treatment as deceptive and unjust.
In a recent speech, Maduro urged El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele not to be complicit in this action, claiming, “Nayib Bukele should not be an accomplice to this kidnapping, because our boys did not commit any crime in the United States, none.” He announced plans to send an official request to El Salvador for the return of the deportees, supported by millions of signatures from Venezuelan citizens.
The deportation has sparked significant public outcry in Venezuela, prompting demonstrations in the streets of Caracas. Venezuelan citizens protested in solidarity with the deportees and their families, many of whom denied any criminal associations. Maduro has pledged to escalate efforts for the repatriation of Venezuelan migrants detained in the US, emphasizing that they should be treated with dignity and respect upon their return.
The deportations were executed under an order by President Trump, alleging that the individuals were associated with the Tren de Aragua gang, known for involvement in human trafficking and drug smuggling. This group was designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the Trump administration, along with the MS-13 gang. Trump authorized the deportations using an 18th-century wartime law, despite recent legal challenges preventing similar actions.
The White House has not provided substantial evidence linking the deportees to criminal activities. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) stated that a thorough review was conducted to verify the alleged connections to those criminal groups, although the identities of the deported individuals remain undisclosed.
The recent deportation of Venezuelan individuals to El Salvador has incited strong backlash from Venezuelan authorities and citizens, who view the action as unjust and inhumane. President Maduro’s condemnation highlights the complexities of international relations and immigration policies while underscoring the urgency of addressing the rights of individuals caught in these circumstances. This situation continues to evolve, revealing underlying tensions between Venezuela and the United States.
Original Source: www.newsx.com
