Migrants freed from El Salvador Venezuela

MAIQUETIA, Venezuela (AFP) — Hundreds of Venezuelans swept up in President Donald Trump’s immigration dragnet reached home Friday after their release from a maximum security Salvadoran jail as part of a prisoner swap with the United States (US).

The 252 men were accused — without evidence — of being gang members and flown to the notorious CECOT “anti-terror” jail in March.

There, they were shackled, shorn and paraded before cameras — becoming emblematic of Trump’s immigration crackdown and drawing howls of protest.

On Friday, after months of legal challenges and political stonewalling, the men arrived at an airport near Caracas, with several walking down the steps with their arms raised and one even kissing the tarmac.

The Trump administration said they were released in exchange for 10 Americans or US residents held in Venezuela, and “political prisoners,” who number 80, according to El Salvador President Nayib Bukele.

The migrants’ return to Venezuela sparked tearful celebrations among family members who had heard nothing from them in months.

“I don’t have words to explain how I feel!” said Juan Yamarte. “My brother (Mervin) is back home, back in Venezuela.”

Mervin’s mother told Agence France-Presse she could not contain her happiness. “I arranged a party and I’m making a soup,” she said.

The men had been deported from the US under rarely used wartime powers and denied court hearings.

Exiled Salvadoran rights group Cristosal believes that just seven of the 252 men had criminal records.

Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro thanked Trump for “the decision to rectify this totally irregular situation.”