Archive · 20 Jul 2025
Venezuela Frees Americans; El Salvador Sends Venezuelans Home
Venezuela released 10 Americans as part of a deal, with El Salvador sending home approximately 250 Venezuelan deportees in exchange.
The deal was negotiated with help from both countries and the U.S. government.
Seven children who had been separated from their families have also been returned.
These Venezuelans had been detained in El Salvador after the U.S. deported them earlier this year.
El Salvador sent home approximately 250 detained Venezuelans.
Venezuela released 10 Americans detained in the country.
The prisoner exchange was facilitated by negotiations between the U.S., Venezuela, and El Salvador.
Seven Venezuelan children separated from their families were returned.
The repatriated Venezuelans had been detained in El Salvador after U.S. deportations.
- Who
- Venezuela and El Salvador are involved, with U.S. support.
- What
- A prisoner swap between Venezuela and El Salvador.
- When
- Confirmed on Friday.
- Where
- Involving Venezuela, El Salvador, and the U.S.
- Why
- To release Americans held in Venezuela and return Venezuelan deportees.
Venezuelan Detainees & Lawyers
U.S. & El Salvador
Detainee Accusations
Venezuelan Detainees & Lawyers
Family members and lawyers of detainees deny any gang ties and say the detainees were not given a chance to contest the allegations.
U.S. & El Salvador
The U.S. government alleged the detainees were involved with the Tren de Aragua gang.
- Involved Countries
- Venezuela, El Salvador, United States
- Americans Released
- 10
- Venezuelans Returned
- Approximately 250
- Venezuelan Children Returned
- 7
- Venezuelan Detention Location
- El Salvador
Sources
El Salvador to send detained Venezuelans to Caracas in prison swap for Americans, sources say
El Salvador to send detained Venezuelans to Caracas in prison swap for Americans, sources say
El Salvador to send detained Venezuelans home in swap for Americans, sources say
Seven Venezuelan migrant children sent home from U.S.: minister
Maduro Frees Americans and Welcomes Jailed Deportees Amid Swap