A large-scale protest in Caracas on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, rallying in support of Venezuelans allegedly wrongfully detained by the U.S. government in collaboration with the Salvadoran government. The detainees face unverified accusations of ties to the Aragua Train criminal group. Photo: Telesur.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro stated on Tuesday, March 18, that the Venezuelan government is working diligently to ensure the safe return of deported migrants from the United States, emphasizing that their repatriation will occur through the Return to the Homeland Program.
Speaking at a massive demonstration in Caracas in defense of Venezuelan migrants, the president affirmed that all migrants detained in El Salvador’s mega-prison are good, hard-working, and honest individuals.
He praised the demonstration as a display of dignity and purity and called for every possible effort to be made to secure the migrants’ return.
The controversial decision by the US to deport Venezuelan migrants to a third country without due process or proven links to the Aragua Train criminal gang has sparked a wave of national unity, with widespread rejection and disgust toward the United States. This sentiment transcends the deep political divisions within the South American nation.
“We are working tirelessly to ensure the Salvadoran government releases these young men. They have not committed any crimes in the US. or El Salvador, nor have they been convicted by any court. This is a violation of international law and human rights,” Maduro added.
He also expressed solidarity with all families and Venezuelan migrants affected by the actions of the US and Salvadoran governments.
“My greetings, solidarity, and support go out to all the families. Rest assured, God willing, we will do everything necessary to rescue these young men. They are not criminals; they are innocent,” he emphasized.
Earlier, at the same demonstration, Jorge Rodríguez, president of the Venezuelan National Assembly, assured the families of the detained migrants that the government would work to secure their release.
“There’s no other way to put it: this mirrors the early days of Nazi Germany, when laws promoting racial purity led to entire populations being confined in concentration camps and sentenced to death. This law replicates exactly what the Nazis did,” Rodríguez stated.
Rodríguez also condemned the alleged sale of migrants into slavery by Nayib Bukele, calling it a violation of international law, the United Nations Charter, and other international legal norms.
“How is it possible that 200 innocent Venezuelans were taken to El Salvador without committing any crimes? Bukele’s justification—receiving six million dollars and exploiting their labor to fund his repressive prison system—echoes the darkest eras of slavery,” he warned.
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Rodríguez described the situation as a kidnapping and assured that Venezuela welcomes its citizens with open arms. He confirmed President Maduro’s efforts to engage with international governments and organizations to demand the migrants’ return.
“This was the worst attack against our nation and our people,” he declared, condemning those who initially contributed to mass migration yet now celebrate these injustices. This was a pointed reference to far-right opposition politicians who have issued statements praising the US actions against their fellow Venezuelans.
(Telesur) with Orinoco Tribune content
Translation: Orinoco Tribune
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