In addition, the deal included the release of some "Venezuelan political prisoners and detainees" being held by the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, the U.S. said.

El Salvador is repatriating dozens of detained Venezuelans in exchange for US nationals held in Venezuela, the governments of the US and El Salvador announced on Friday.

Some of the Americans in the Venezuelan prison were confined to cement cells, beaten, pepper-sprayed and subjected to what one prisoner called “psychological torture.”

In a new blow to one of Latin America’s most feared criminal syndicates, the U.S. Treasury Department on Thursday announced sanctions against Héctor “Niño” Guerrero and five other top figures in Tren ...