Nicolas Maduro condemned the US deportation of Venezuelan migrants as “kidnapping,” denying their criminal status. He vowed to petition for their return and supported protests against the deportation. The US asserts deportees are linked to gangs, but this has increased tensions between nations. Maduro plans to enhance repatriation efforts.

Nicolas Maduro, the leader of Venezuela, has labeled the deportation of over 200 primarily Venezuelan migrants by the United States to a notorious prison in El Salvador as a “kidnapping.” He vehemently denied that these individuals are criminals and expressed his support for their return. During a speech, Maduro stated, “Nayib Bukele should not be an accomplice to this kidnapping, because our boys did not commit any crime in the United States, none.”

Maduro further criticized the absence of legal processes for those deported, asserting that they were misled, handcuffed, and sent to a detention facility without trial or due process. His government plans to submit an official request for the return of the deportees to El Salvador, supported by a petition containing millions of signatures gathered from Venezuelan citizens.

This development comes after President Trump utilized a historical law to authorize the deportation of Venezuelans, asserting they are members of the Tren de Aragua gang despite legal obstacles. He characterized the deportees as “a bad group of, as I say, hombres,” heightening tensions between the US and Venezuela.

The deported Venezuelans and others were relocated to the Counter-Terrorism Confinement Center in El Salvador, known for its harsh treatment of inmates, which human rights groups decry as abusive. In Caracas, protests erupted as citizens rallied for the rights of the deported, with family members asserting the innocence of their loved ones.

Maduro actively supported the protests, stating, “I celebrate that millions of men and women from Venezuela have come out to support the families… to officially demand that the Government of El Salvador free them from this kidnapping.” Simultaneously, the White House has yet to provide concrete evidence tying the deportees to criminal organizations. The ICE agency confirmed it conducted a thorough review of the deportees’ backgrounds without releasing their identities.

In a broader response, Maduro announced intentions to facilitate increased repatriation of Venezuelan migrants from the US to secure their dignity and connection to their homeland. He declared, “We are going to return all migrants who have been detained to give them respect, dignity, support, and to return to their homeland and their families.”

In summary, Nicolas Maduro has condemned the US deportation of Venezuelan migrants as a form of kidnapping and supports their repatriation without legal grounds for their deportation. The situation has led to widespread protests in Venezuela, with significant public support for the return of the deportees. While the US government defends its actions based on alleged gang affiliations, Maduro’s administration plans to formally request the return of its citizens, emphasizing respect and dignity for the affected individuals.

Original Source: www.cnn.com

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