El Salvador’s president calls on Maduro to release Venezuelan political prisoners

"I want to propose a humanitarian agreement that includes the repatriation of 100% of the 252 Venezuelans who were deported, in exchange for the release and handover of an identical number (252) of the thousands of political prisoners you are holding," Bukele said Sunday on X, highlighting Maduro’s repeated calls for Venezuelans to return home freely.

"Unlike you, who holds political prisoners, we do not have political prisoners. All the Venezuelans we have in custody were detained as part of an operation against gangs like the Tren de Aragua in the US," he added.

Bukele emphasized that those detained in El Salvador were apprehended for criminal activity.

"Unlike our detainees -- many of whom have committed murder, others rape, and some who had even been arrested multiple times before being deported -- your political prisoners have committed no crime. The only reason they are imprisoned is for opposing you and your electoral frauds,” he wrote.

"Among them: Rafael Tudares, son-in-law of Edmundo Gonzalez; journalist Roland Carreno; lawyer and activist Rocio San Miguel; Mrs. Corina Parisca de Machado, mother of Maria Corina Machado, who is harassed daily and has her access to basic services like electricity and water sabotaged," Bukele stated.

He also called for the release of four opposition leaders currently seeking asylum in the Argentine Embassy in Caracas, along with nearly 50 foreign nationals held in Venezuelan prisons.

"Our foreign ministry will send the formal correspondence," Bukele concluded. "God bless the people of Venezuela."

The proposal comes amid increasing international pressure on Maduro’s government to release political prisoners ahead of Venezuela’s upcoming presidential elections.

Human rights organizations estimate that thousands of opposition figures, journalists, and activists remain incarcerated under what they describe as politically motivated charges.

Neither the Venezuelan government nor President Maduro has issued a formal response so far.