SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS — Venezuela on Friday released 10 Americans and U.S. permanent residents from detention as part of a diplomatic agreement involving the United States and El Salvador, according to U.S. officials.
In exchange, the U.S. deported more than 250 Venezuelan migrants who had been held in El Salvador’s prisons.
A plane carrying the freed individuals landed at Joint Base San Antonio late Friday. Several of those released waved U.S. flags and embraced waiting family members and officials upon arrival.
President Nayib Bukele authorized the transfer of Venezuelan nationals previously deported by the U.S. and held in Salvadoran prisons. Human rights organizations have repeatedly criticized these facilities for poor conditions and alleged abuse.
Officials stated that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro viewed the release as a diplomatic gain amid ongoing negotiations with the U.S. over detained individuals in both countries. The detainees released by Venezuela were held under various circumstances, some reportedly tied to political tensions between Caracas and Washington.
U.S. President Donald Trump, who has publicly emphasized securing the release of Americans detained abroad, supported the agreement. The Biden administration did not immediately release a formal statement on the deal.
While the identities of all 10 released detainees were not disclosed, U.S. officials confirmed that they had been held for extended periods and were considered priorities in recent negotiations.
The event underscores the complexity of international detainee issues and the diplomatic efforts required to resolve them. The involvement of El Salvador also highlighted regional cooperation in addressing transnational concerns.
As of Saturday, none of the three governments involved had announced additional plans for future exchanges, though officials suggested talks may continue.