Venezuela Alleges Torture of Deported Migrants in El Salvador, Launches Probe
Venezuela has escalated its condemnation of the treatment of its citizens deported from the United States to El Salvador, formally launching an investigation into senior Salvadoran officials, including President Nayib Bukele, over alleged torture and human rights abuses. This diplomatic spat follows a recent prisoner exchange between the U.S. and Venezuela, which saw over 250 Venezuelan migrants returned home after being held in a notorious Salvadoran prison.
Allegations of Torture and Abuse:
Venezuelan Attorney General's Announcement: On Monday, July 21, 2025, Venezuelan Attorney General Tarek William Saab announced the opening of a formal investigation into El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele, Justice Minister Gustavo Villatoro, and Head of Prisons Osiris Luna Meza. Saab presented compelling evidence, including photos and testimonies from returned migrants, detailing horrific experiences of abuse.
Accounts from Returned Migrants: The returned Venezuelans, many of whom had been detained for months in El Salvador's maximum-security Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) prison, recounted severe mistreatment. Their testimonies include:
Physical Violence: Allegations of daily beatings, rubber bullet wounds, and pepper spray attacks by prison guards.
Sexual Abuse: Disturbing claims of sexual abuse.
Inhumane Conditions: Being held in "inhuman cells" deprived of sunlight, ventilation, and basic hygiene.
Lack of Basic Necessities: Receiving rotten food and unsafe drinking water.
Denial of Rights: No access to lawyers, medical care (or treatment without anesthesia), or contact with family members.
Visible Injuries: Some migrants returned with visible bruises, scars, and even a missing molar, which they attribute to the abuse.
Trump Administration's Role: These Venezuelan migrants were originally sent to El Salvador by the United States in March 2025 under the Trump administration. President Donald Trump had invoked the rarely used 1798 Alien Enemies Act to deport alleged members of the Venezuelan "Tren de Aragua" gang without traditional due process or court hearings. This move sparked immediate international criticism from human rights organizations.
Human Rights Concerns at CECOT: The CECOT prison itself has been widely condemned by human rights groups for its harsh conditions, including mass arbitrary detention, overcrowding, and documented systemic abuses such as physical beatings, torture, and intentional denial of food and water. Concerns have also been raised about the mixing of non-nationals and alleged gang members, which violates international standards.
The Prisoner Exchange and its Aftermath:
US-Venezuela Deal: On Friday, July 18, 2025, a prisoner swap was completed between the U.S. and Venezuela. This deal secured the release of 10 American citizens and permanent residents held in Venezuela, in exchange for the return of over 250 Venezuelan migrants from El Salvador's CECOT prison.
Venezuelan Government's Stance: Venezuela had consistently protested the deportation of its citizens to El Salvador and their detention conditions. Attorney General Saab stated that his office launched the probe after receiving numerous complaints from the returned migrants themselves.
El Salvador's Response: Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele has sharply criticized Venezuela's investigation, suggesting that the Maduro government was initially "satisfied with the exchange agreement" and is now raising concerns only because they "just realized they're no longer holding hostages from the most powerful country in the world (the United States)."
International Outcry: Human rights groups, including the American Immigration Council and Cristosal, have vehemently condemned the U.S. government's decision to deport individuals to a facility with a documented record of severe human rights violations. They argue that the U.S. paid for the detention of these men in a "torture prison" and must be held accountable for their suffering.
The investigation launched by Venezuela adds another layer of complexity to the already strained diplomatic relations between the U.S., Venezuela, and El Salvador, bringing renewed scrutiny to migration policies and human rights concerns in detention facilities.
I'm Aisha shehu
Talksocialtalka News
