El Salvador proposes swapping US-deported Venezuelans for Venezuelan 'political prisoners'

FILE PHOTO: El Salvador President Nayib Bukele gives a thumbs up as he departs the White House following his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 14, 2025. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo

SAN SALVADOR (Reuters) -El Salvador President Nayib Bukele on Sunday proposed sending 252 Venezuelans deported from the U.S. and imprisoned in his country to Venezuela, in exchange for taking "political prisoners" held by Venezuela.

In a post on X, Bukele asked that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro hand over 252 "of the political prisoners you are holding," under his proposed deal.