Venezuela's government has embarked on an investigation into allegations of human rights abuses against its citizens detained in El Salvador's harsh CECOT prison. Over 250 Venezuelan migrants were returned to Venezuela near Caracas after enduring four months of imprisonment following their deportation from the United States. Allegations of "systemic torture" were brought forth by Venezuelan Attorney General Tarek William Saab, who detailed reports of sexual abuse, daily beatings, and the inadequate provision of food within the prison.
El Salvador's government has not publicly addressed these grave accusations. Saab unveiled disturbing testimonies and images during a press briefing, showcasing detainees with visible injuries, including bruises and missing teeth, although these claims remain unverified by independent sources. The Venezuelan government is also pursuing action against El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele, Justice Minister Gustavo Villatoro, and Prisons Chief Osiris Luna Meza, urging international bodies, including the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the UN Human Rights Council, to investigate the matter.
The Venezuelan migrants were deported under a 1798 Alien Enemies Act, which allows the U.S. president to detain and deport nationals of "enemy" nations without standard legal processes. They were purportedly accused of gang affiliations—a claim rejected by the migrants' families and attorneys. The detainees were incarcerated in CECOT, originally constructed for notorious gang members, and were not allowed access to legal counsel or contact with family members. Their condition came to light when Salvadoran authorities released photographs showing the migrants arriving in handcuffs and with shaved heads, eliciting a wave of international condemnation.
The group was subsequently released in July as part of a prisoner exchange, with a senior Trump administration official expressing gratitude for Bukele's role in the arrangement. Meanwhile, the U.S. continues to impose strict sanctions on Venezuela, and a recent Supreme Court ruling threatens to revoke Temporary Protected Status for around 350,000 Venezuelans in the U.S. as tensions between the two nations escalate.
El Salvador's government has not publicly addressed these grave accusations. Saab unveiled disturbing testimonies and images during a press briefing, showcasing detainees with visible injuries, including bruises and missing teeth, although these claims remain unverified by independent sources. The Venezuelan government is also pursuing action against El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele, Justice Minister Gustavo Villatoro, and Prisons Chief Osiris Luna Meza, urging international bodies, including the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the UN Human Rights Council, to investigate the matter.
The Venezuelan migrants were deported under a 1798 Alien Enemies Act, which allows the U.S. president to detain and deport nationals of "enemy" nations without standard legal processes. They were purportedly accused of gang affiliations—a claim rejected by the migrants' families and attorneys. The detainees were incarcerated in CECOT, originally constructed for notorious gang members, and were not allowed access to legal counsel or contact with family members. Their condition came to light when Salvadoran authorities released photographs showing the migrants arriving in handcuffs and with shaved heads, eliciting a wave of international condemnation.
The group was subsequently released in July as part of a prisoner exchange, with a senior Trump administration official expressing gratitude for Bukele's role in the arrangement. Meanwhile, the U.S. continues to impose strict sanctions on Venezuela, and a recent Supreme Court ruling threatens to revoke Temporary Protected Status for around 350,000 Venezuelans in the U.S. as tensions between the two nations escalate.
