MAIQUETÍA — El Salvador freed 252 Venezuelan migrants detained in a maximum-security jail and deported them home yesterday as part of a US-Venezuela prisoner swap.

The men, accused without evidence of gang ties, were jailed last March at the notorious CECOT prison, shackled and paraded as part of Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown. Their detention drew widespread outrage and rights groups’ condemnation.

In exchange, Venezuela released 10 Americans or US residents and several political prisoners. Families in Caracas celebrated tearful reunions, calling the men’s return a miracle after months of silence.

Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele confirmed the handover, while Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro thanked Trump for rectifying the “irregular” situation.

The migrants, many deported from the US under emergency wartime powers without hearings, endured months without contact or proof of life. Only a handful reportedly had criminal records.

Trump’s administration has ramped up deportations of undocumented Venezuelans, with over 8,200 repatriated from the US and Mexico since February. Rights groups have condemned the detentions as human rights violations.