Maduro Pledges Rescue of 252 Venezuelan Migrants Kidnapped in El Salvador Amid Torture Allegations and Death of Wilmer García

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has committed to rescuing 252 Venezuelan migrants reportedly kidnapped in El Salvador and to reuniting separated families, emphasizing migration as a human right and condemning persecution. Legal representatives hired by Maduro's administration allege that these migrants, deported by the U.S. government under Donald Trump to El Salvador, are suffering physical and psychological torture. Despite two months since 238 Venezuelans were transferred to the so-called Center of Terrorism Confinement in El Salvador, their exact identities and conditions remain undisclosed, with calls for proof of life ongoing.

Meanwhile, the Foro Penal organization reported that as of May 12, at least 60 political prisoners in Venezuela are under forced disappearance, with unknown whereabouts or detention sites. Several foreign political prisoners have communicated with their families recently. The Venezuelan opposition party Voluntad Popular and the NGO Justicia, Encuentro y Perdón reported the death of Wilmer García, a young man with autism and chronic kidney disease, who was detained following protests after the presidential election. His health reportedly deteriorated significantly during incarceration. Additionally, concerns have been raised about the critical condition of Maykelis Borges, a pregnant political prisoner at risk of losing her baby. Other developments include the release of 84-year-old Luis López, detained during post-election protests for possessing a paper with electoral results and the Constitution, and confirmation that activist Eduardo Torres is held at El Helicoide without visitation rights. The family of Josnars Baduel recently obtained proof of life after visiting him in El Rodeo I prison, though his health remains compromised. Calls have been made for Maduro to act coherently in demanding the release of deported migrants from El Salvador.