Over 250 Venezuelan migrants returned home after enduring four months in El Salvador's CECOT prison, where they reportedly faced systemic torture, prompting an investigation by the Venezuelan government.
Investigation Launched After Claims of Torture in El Salvador’s CECOT Prison
Investigation Launched After Claims of Torture in El Salvador’s CECOT Prison
Venezuela probes alleged abuses against migrants detained in El Salvador as fears mount over human rights violations.
In recent developments highlighting alarming human rights concerns, Venezuelan authorities have initiated an investigation into the treatment of over 250 migrants who were detained in El Salvador's infamous Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) after being deported from the United States. The migrants, who were repatriated to Venezuela near Caracas on Friday, had been held for four months amidst serious allegations of "systemic torture."
During a press conference, Venezuelan Attorney General Tarek William Saab asserted that detainees experienced severe abuse, including sexual assault and daily beatings, while being served rotten food. Images and testimonies were presented by Saab, depicting injuries such as bruises and missing teeth. However, these claims remain unverified by independent sources.
Venezuela's investigation will target several officials from El Salvador, including President Nayib Bukele and Justice Minister Gustavo Villatoro. Saab has also called upon international organizations, such as the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the UN Human Rights Council, to intervene.
Notably, Venezuela itself is under scrutiny by the ICC for allegations of similar abuses, including the torture of prisoners and obstruction of legal representation. The migrants were deported under the controversial 1798 Alien Enemies Act, which allows the U.S. president to detain nationals from "enemy" countries without the standard legal processes. While they were accused of gang affiliations, many affected individuals and their families have vehemently denied such claims.
The group, lacking access to legal representation or contact with relatives, made headlines upon their arrival in El Salvador, which was publicly documented with images showing them in handcuffs and with shaven heads—leading to widespread outcry. They were released in July following a negotiation involving U.S. nationals held in Venezuela, for which the previous Trump administration expressed gratitude toward Bukele's actions.
This troubling scenario comes amidst growing tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela, including economic sanctions and recent rulings affecting Venezuelan nationals' legal status in the U.S. The grim fate of these migrants continues to underscore the pressing issue of human rights within the context of global migration crises.
