Ten Americans held in Venezuela are officially on their way home following a high-stakes prisoner swap led by the Trump administration. The detainees were released in exchange for El Salvador returning 252 Venezuelan nationals — many of them suspected gang members — who had been transferred from the U.S. to a high-security prison earlier this year.
“Thanks to President Trump”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the release on Friday, praising President Trump’s leadership for making the deal possible.
“Thanks to President Donald Trump’s leadership and commitment to the American people, the United States welcomes home ten Americans who were detained in Venezuela,” Rubio said.
He condemned Venezuela’s socialist regime for jailing U.S. citizens under “highly questionable circumstances” and without due process.
“Until today, more Americans were wrongfully held in Venezuela than any other country in the world,” Rubio added. “Every wrongfully detained American in Venezuela is now free and back in our homeland.”
Behind the Deal
The agreement was brokered with the help of El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele, who led negotiations with Venezuela’s Maduro regime. The 252 Venezuelans being returned are believed to be members of the violent Tren de Aragua gang.
These individuals were deported from the U.S. in March under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, allowing for their removal without going through standard immigration channels.
Navy SEAL Among Those Freed
Among the ten Americans freed is former Navy SEAL Wilbert Joseph Castaneda, whose family said he had suffered multiple traumatic brain injuries during his 18-year service that impaired his judgment. His decision to travel to Venezuela, they said, was a mistake.
The swap followed months of backchannel diplomacy. Secretary Rubio also thanked the U.S. Embassy in Caracas, hostage envoy Roger Carstens, and the State Department.
Bukele: “Thanks to Almighty God”
President Bukele confirmed the deal and credited the release to patience, cooperation, and divine help.
“The operation was the result of months of negotiations with a tyrannical regime… and above all, thanks to Almighty God, it was achieved.”
He added, “In this, as in other matters, I remind you: patience and trust.”
