“Trump let this convicted killer free”: Martina Navratilova criticizes Donald Trump after Venezuela prisoner swap

Martina Navratilova, the former World No. 1 and 18-time Grand Slam singles champion, recently criticized U.S. President Donald Trump for allowing Dahud Hanid Ortiz, a Venezuelan-American ex-marine convicted of a triple murder, to return to the U.S. Ortiz, convicted in Venezuela in January 2024 for killing three people in Madrid during a jealous rage, was unexpectedly released in July 2025 as part of a prisoner-swap deal involving the U.S., Venezuela, and El Salvador. Navratilova saw a video of MSNBC host Rachel Maddow harshly questioning Trump’s decision and wrote simply on X: “And trump let this convicted killer free…” Martina Navratilova saw a viral video on social media. In the clip, Rachel Maddow strongly criticized Donald Trump for freeing Dahud Hanid Ortiz, a man convicted of murder. She wrote on X, in a brief yet pointed response. It came through clearly and simply. She is upset because Ortiz was convicted in Venezuela in January 2024 after murdering, out of jealousy, two women and a client in Madrid, Spain. Despite that, he was released in July 2025 under a three-way prisoner swap involving the United States, Venezuela, and El Salvador. Earlier in 2025, Martina Navratilova also spoke out when Donald Trump endorsed a new Florida immigration detention center called “Alligator Alcatraz.” This site, surrounded by dangerous swamps and alligators, was meant to hold migrants. Also Read: “It Would Not Be America”: Martina Navratilova Slams Donald Trump For Taking Over Washington Police And Deploying TroopsDondal Trump even joked that escapees would have to run from alligators and suggested deploying Florida National Guard members as immigration judges. Martina Navratilova called the plan “cruelty.” She condemned the move as inhumane and worrying, warning aloud that such actions steer the U.S. toward fascism.