Venezuela's Maduro labels US deportation of migrants to El Salvador as 'abductions'; supports demands for their reinstatement.
Venezuela Slams US for Deporting Migrants to El Salvador's Notorious Prison
In an explosive turn of events, Venezuela's leader, Nicholas Maduro, has taken the United States to task for the alleged "kidnapping" of over 200 Venezuelan migrants deported to El Salvador's infamous mega-prison. The Venezuelan government is demanding these deportees' immediate return, claiming they are innocent of any crimes and have been subjected to a sham trial.
Maduro's furious response comes after a deal between President Donald Trump and El Salvador's leader, Nayib Bukele, saw 238 Venezuelans deported over the weekend. These Venezuelans, along with 23 Salvadorans, were sent to the Counter-Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) in Tecoluca, El Salvador, under the pretext of belonging to the notorious Tren de Aragua gang.
The Tren de Aragua is a criminal organization linked to human trafficking, money laundering, drug smuggling, and other crimes. In January 2025, the Trump administration designated Tren de Aragua and the Salvadoran MS-13 gang as foreign terrorist groups.
However, Maduro hasn't presented concrete evidence of the deported Venezuelans' involvement with the Tren de Aragua. Residents of Caracas took to the streets Tuesday to rally against the deportations, with some claiming their loved ones were among the deported group. Relatives of men sent to El Salvador have demanded their release, insisting their loved ones are not criminals but merely migrants seeking asylum.
Maduro has ordered his government to ramp up efforts to repatriate all Venezuelan migrants detained in the US, vowing to treat them with respect, dignity, and support upon return. He criticized El Salvador for treating the deportees like hostages and demanded their immediate release.
Critics have accused the Trump administration of disregarding due process and relying on flimsy evidence, such as tattoos or social media posts, to label individuals members of criminal gangs. Some deported Venezuelans, such as Daniel Simancas Rodríguez, insist they have no ties to the Tren de Aragua.
Advocates in the US have challenged the use of the Alien Enemies Act, arguing that the deportees were wrongly accused and their human rights were violated. Human rights organizations have expressed concern about the harsh conditions in El Salvador's prison system, which is infamous for its inhumane treatment of prisoners.
The ongoing controversy reflects a broader migration crackdown, with critics accusing the US of undermining asylum processes and ignoring the plight of refugees. The situation also underscores the complex geopolitical tensions involving the US, El Salvador, and Venezuela.
[1] "U.S. deports more than 230 Venezuelans to El Salvador after court ruling" - Reuters, (accessed on March 16, 2025)
[2] "Venezuela Demands Return of Deported Migrants after US Arrests" - CNN, (accessed on March 16, 2025)
- Maduro criticized the Americans for deporting innocent Venezuelans to El Salvador's notorious prison, CECOT, and demanded the signatures of these migrants' immediate return.
- In response to the US deal with El Salvador, residents of Caracas took to the streets, saying that their loved ones, among the 238 deported Venezuelans, were merely seeking asylum and not criminals linked to the Tren de Aragua gang.
- human rights organizations has urged the world to pay attention to the harsh conditions that the 2b51e7ae568174ba7caa98ee4a0bd10e [Venezuelan deportees] are facing in El Salvador's prison system.
