Unbelievable! Mass Prisoner Swap Frees 10 Americans Held in Venezuela!

2025-07-19 18:01:06.868

The Trump administration finalized a significant prisoner exchange with Venezuela on Friday, releasing 10 American citizens wrongfully detained in the country. In return, approximately 250 Venezuelans, previously deported and imprisoned in El Salvador, were sent back to their homeland. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the Americans' release, stating that all wrongfully detained Americans in Venezuela were now free. The freed Americans included Wilbert Joseph Castaneda, Jorge Marcelo Vargas, Lucas Hunter, Jonathan Pagan Gonzalez, Ronald Oribio Quintana, Erick Oribio Quintana, Fabian Buglione Reyes, Renzo Humanchumo Castillo, Juan Jose Faria Bricen, and Danud Hanid Ortiz. The release followed months of negotiations and a controversial mass deportation of Venezuelans to El Salvador in March, where they were held in the notorious CECOT prison. Family members of both the released Americans and the repatriated Venezuelans expressed immense relief and joy. The operation was described as "down to the wire" by a senior administration official, highlighting the complexities and uncertainties involved in negotiating with the Venezuelan regime. The exchange also involved the release of dozens of Venezuelan political prisoners, facilitated by Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, who had proposed the swap earlier this year. Senator Marco Rubio played a key role in the negotiations, maintaining direct contact with President Bukele. President Trump praised Rubio for his efforts. The State Department's Office of the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs (SPEHA) also participated in the logistical aspects of the swap. The successful exchange concludes a chapter marked by controversy and uncertainty, bringing relief to families on both sides of the border.