July 18, 2025
State Department trades prisoner swaps for diplomatic leverage
Hostage envoy says releases earn favor with Washington
🛡️National Security🌍Foreign Policy✊Civil Rights
On Jul. 18, 2025, Trump completed three-way swap: 252 Venezuelans from El Salvador's CECOT for 10 Americans held in Venezuela
The 252 migrants had been deported in Mar. 2025 under the Alien Enemies Act, not invoked since WWII, a federal court later ruled violated due process
El Salvador received $6 million from the US to house the deported Venezuelans at CECOT mega-prison for one year
Among those freed: Navy SEAL Wilbert Castaneda (detained 325 days) and Lucas Hunter (kidnapped from Colombia by Venezuelan agents)
Secretary Rubio declared every wrongfully detained American in Venezuela is now free; Boehler called Bukele a good friend
Human Rights Watch warned Venezuela follows revolving-door pattern: releasing some while arresting others
Critics argue swaps incentivize hostage-taking; supporters say freeing Americans justifies difficult dealmaking
🛡️National Security🌍Foreign Policy✊Civil Rights
Test Your Knowledge
10
Q1
According to Adam Boehler on July 20, 2025, nations release detained Americans primarily as acts of goodwill.
Q2
On what date did Venezuela release 10 Americans and permanent residents in exchange for deported Venezuelans?
Q3
Which leader agreed to transfer deported Venezuelan migrants to secure the release of Americans held in Caracas?
Q4
On July 18, 2025, Venezuela released 10 detained Americans in exchange for the U.S. returning over 250 deported Venezuelans from El Salvador's CECOT prison.
Q5
The prisoner swap on July 18, 2025, returned just over 250 Venezuelans from Venezuela to the United States.
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Start QuizPeople, bills, and sources
Adam Boehler
Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs
Marco Rubio
Secretary of State
Nayib Bukele
President of El Salvador
Nicolas Maduro
Venezuelan President
Wilbert Castaneda
Freed American, Navy SEAL
Lucas Hunter
Freed American, dual citizen