Venezuelan Attorney General Tarek William Saab revealed disturbing allegations of torture against over 250 citizens detained in El Salvador after being repatriated from the US.
Venezuela Investigates Allegations of Torture Against Migrants in El Salvador
Venezuela Investigates Allegations of Torture Against Migrants in El Salvador
Claims of systemic torture and human rights abuses prompt investigation into El Salvador's treatment of deported Venezuelans.
More than 250 Venezuelan migrants have been returned to their home country following reports of severe human rights abuses during their detention in El Salvador. The detainees had been held in El Salvador’s infamous Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) for approximately four months after being deported from the United States under the controversial 1798 Alien Enemies Act.
Venezuelan Attorney General Tarek William Saab announced an investigation into the treatment of these migrants, stating that they experienced "systemic torture," which allegedly included sexual abuse, regular beatings, and the provision of spoiled food. Saab displayed testimonies and images showing severe injuries such as bruising and missing teeth, which he claimed exemplified the brutality faced by the detainees.
El Salvador's government, led by President Nayib Bukele, has yet to issue a response to these grave allegations. The Venezuelan government seeks to pursue accountability for Bukele, Justice Minister Gustavo Villatoro, and Head of Prisons Osiris Luna Meza through international legal channels. Saab called upon the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the UN Human Rights Council to also investigate the situation.
The deported Venezuelan citizens were accused of gang affiliation, a claim refuted by many families and legal representatives. They had limited access to legal counsel or communication with loved ones and were last seen publicly in handcuffs with shaved heads, a sight that incited global outrage.
Their release in mid-July was part of a negotiation involving the exchange of US nationals imprisoned in Venezuela, with a senior official from the Trump administration expressing heartfelt gratitude to Bukele for orchestrating the deal. The US has imposed strict sanctions on Venezuela, and a recent Supreme Court ruling could threaten the Temporary Protected Status for around 350,000 Venezuelan nationals living in the United States.
Venezuelan Attorney General Tarek William Saab announced an investigation into the treatment of these migrants, stating that they experienced "systemic torture," which allegedly included sexual abuse, regular beatings, and the provision of spoiled food. Saab displayed testimonies and images showing severe injuries such as bruising and missing teeth, which he claimed exemplified the brutality faced by the detainees.
El Salvador's government, led by President Nayib Bukele, has yet to issue a response to these grave allegations. The Venezuelan government seeks to pursue accountability for Bukele, Justice Minister Gustavo Villatoro, and Head of Prisons Osiris Luna Meza through international legal channels. Saab called upon the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the UN Human Rights Council to also investigate the situation.
The deported Venezuelan citizens were accused of gang affiliation, a claim refuted by many families and legal representatives. They had limited access to legal counsel or communication with loved ones and were last seen publicly in handcuffs with shaved heads, a sight that incited global outrage.
Their release in mid-July was part of a negotiation involving the exchange of US nationals imprisoned in Venezuela, with a senior official from the Trump administration expressing heartfelt gratitude to Bukele for orchestrating the deal. The US has imposed strict sanctions on Venezuela, and a recent Supreme Court ruling could threaten the Temporary Protected Status for around 350,000 Venezuelan nationals living in the United States.
