Venezuela’s President Maduro has condemned the US deportation of over 200 Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador, labeling it a “kidnapping” and denying any criminal behavior. He plans to request their return with a petition backed by millions of signatures. The deportations, justified by claims of gang affiliations, have sparked protests in Venezuela, and Maduro has vowed to repatriate all detained migrants respectfully.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has condemned the US’s recent deportation of over 200 Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador, labeling it a “kidnapping.” He asserts that these individuals are not criminals and have been mistreated during the process, denied due legal rights while being sent to a notorious prison.
Maduro criticized El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele for cooperating with what he described as an act of kidnapping, indicating that the affected migrants were not given fair trial rights. He stated that his government will draft an official request for their return, which will be supported by signatures from millions of Venezuelans.
The deportations, carried out under a US-El Salvador agreement, included individuals alleged to be affiliated with the Tren de Aragua gang, despite a US court ruling that halted the move. President Trump has justified these actions by claiming the US is facing an “invasion” of migrants. The deportees were sent to the Counter-Terrorism Confinement Center in El Salvador, known for its controversial treatment of inmates.
Protests erupted in Caracas, where families of the deported individuals claimed that loved ones were unjustly targeted. Maduro supported their demonstrations, urging the Salvadoran government to release the migrants and return them to Venezuela. The US government, however, has not provided substantial evidence to link these deported individuals to criminal activities associated with the Tren de Aragua gang.
The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency has stated that it verified the criminal affiliations of the deported individuals but has not disclosed their names. Some deported Venezuelans, like Daniel Simancas Rodríguez, reported being wrongly suspected due to personal identifiers like tattoos. In response, Maduro announced plans to increase flights for repatriating Venezuelan migrants, emphasizing respect, dignity, and support for their return.
Maduro’s accusations against the US regarding the deportation of Venezuelan migrants highlight the ongoing diplomatic tensions between Venezuela and the US. The Venezuelan leader’s strong condemnation of the actions taken, along with his commitment to repatriating citizens, underlines the complex nature of migrant rights and international relations in this context. Calls for the return of the deported individuals reveal significant public support and discontent over their treatment, while the US government’s stance remains focused on addressing alleged criminal activities.
Original Source: www.cnn.com
