Convicted Triple Murderer Dahud Hanid Ortiz Freed from Prison via Trump-Era Prisoner Swap
Dahud Hanid Ortiz, a dual U.S.-Venezuelan citizen and former U.S. Marine, was unexpectedly released to the United States as part of a high-profile prisoner exchange orchestrated by the Trump administration. Ortiz had been serving a 30-year sentence in Venezuela for a triple homicide in Madrid, Spain, in 2016, where he brutally murdered two female employees and a client at a law office in a jealous rage.
The Washington Post
El País
Despite his serious conviction, Ortiz was not originally listed among individuals deemed “wrongfully detained.” His inclusion in the July 18 prisoner swap—meant to bring back Americans unlawfully held in Venezuela—triggered widespread concern among Spanish and German officials involved in the case. The inclusion of a convicted murderer in such an agreement raised serious questions about vetting procedures and the integrity of international legal cooperation.
The Washington Post
El País
The Guardian
Upon arrival in Texas, Ortiz was seen grinning—a surreal image that added fuel to the outrage. Although he is now free and unmonitored in the U.S., authorities have refused to disclose his whereabouts, citing privacy concerns. This lack of transparency has left victims’ families in Spain fearful and isolated.
The Washington Post
El País
Spain’s public prosecutor has reportedly sent a legal report to U.S. authorities detailing Ortiz’s conviction and release. Victims’ family members and the targeted lawyer, Víctor Salas, have expressed deep frustration at being kept in the dark, calling the decision a “grave error” that undermines justice and victims’ rights.
El País