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.

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On July 18, 2025, the U.S. and Venezuela executed a large-scale prisoner swap brokered by U.S. Special Envoy Adam Boehler and El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele. Venezuela released 10 Americans and U.S. permanent residents in exchange for the U.S. returning 250+ Venezuelan migrants previously deported to El Salvador's CECOT prison. This three-way deal reveals how hostage diplomacy operates outside formal treaty structures: the U.S. executive branch negotiates directly with foreign leaders, using detained individuals as bargaining chips. Boehler publicly framed prisoner releases as "diplomatic currency" countries can use to "get in America's good graces," signaling that cooperation on hostage releases can earn policy benefits. The swap shows presidential authority to negotiate such deals without congressional approval, though Congress funds the Envoy position and can investigate whether such swaps incentivize more wrongful detentions.

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.

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