STORY: A first of two planes carrying Venezuelans who had been detained in El Salvador landed on Friday (July 18) at Venezuela's Simon Bolivar International Airport near the capital Caracas.

El Salvador sent home the Venezuelans detained in the country in a prison exchange for U.S. citizens held in Venezuela, El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele said on Friday. In a post on X, he said the U.S. citizens freed in Venezuela were en route to his country, from where they would continue "their journey home".

In Venezuela, Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said the Venezuelan citizens had been attacked while boarding their plane in El Salvador.

The Venezuelans were sent to El Salvador from the United States in March after U.S. President Donald Trump invoked the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to swiftly deport alleged members of the Tren de Aragua gang without going through normal immigration procedures. They were held in El Salvador's notorious CECOT maximum security prison.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: LA GUAIRA, VENEZUELA (JULY 18, 2025) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. AIRCRAFT CARRYING VENEZUELANS DETAINED IN EL SALVADOR LANDING

2. VARIOUS OF AIRCRAFT TAXIING

3. AIRCRAFT WINDOWS

LA GUAIRA, VENEZUELA (JULY 18, 2025) (REUTERS - Access all) (NIGHT SHOTS)

4. VENEZUELANS DETAINED IN EL SALVADOR GETTING OFF AIRCRAFT

5. VARIOUS OF VENEZUELANS DETAINED IN EL SALVADOR WALKING ON TARMAC

6. VENEZUELANS DETAINED IN EL SALVADOR GREETING VENEZUELAN OFFICIALS

7. VARIOUS OF VENEZUELANS DETAINED IN EL SALVADOR WALKING ON TARMAC