US and Venezuela Swap Detainees in Large Prisoner Exchange

The United States and Venezuela have conducted a prisoner exchange, releasing ten Americans and U.S. permanent residents held in Venezuela for 252 Venezuelan immigrants deported by the U.S. to El Salvador. The individuals exchanged came from diverse backgrounds, including a kite surfer, a Navy SEAL, a makeup artist, and a bicycle parts seller. Many of the Venezuelans had sought refuge in the U.S. to escape their country's economic and political conditions. The detained individuals on both sides reportedly faced similar circumstances, including accusations of destabilization, detention without due process, and lack of family contact.