Venezuela is launching an investigation into serious allegations of human rights abuses against over 250 migrants who were returned from El Salvador, where they had been incarcerated in the notorious Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) for four months after being deported from the United States. Attorney General Tarek William Saab asserted that the detainees had suffered "systemic torture," including sexual abuse and daily beatings, compounded by inadequate food supply.
During a recent press conference, Saab provided what he claimed were testimonies and images showing detainees with visible injuries, such as bruises and missing teeth. These allegations are yet to be independently verified, and El Salvador has not issued a formal response to the claims.
The Venezuelan investigation will target officials, including El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele, Justice Minister Gustavo Villatoro, and Head of Prisons Osiris Luna Meza. Saab is also urging international bodies, including the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the UN Human Rights Council, to undertake their own inquiries into the situation.
The Venezuelan Nationals were deported from the U.S. under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, with accusations that they belonged to gangs—claims denied by relatives and attorneys. Held in isolation without contact from legal representatives or family, the detainees were last seen in photographs released by Bukele's government depicting them arriving in handcuffs and with shaved heads, prompting international concern.
Their eventual release came in mid-July as part of a deal that also saw the U.S. expressing gratitude to Bukele for his role in facilitating the exchange involving U.S. nationals held in Venezuela. The treatment of these migrants highlights ongoing tensions surrounding immigration policies, particularly as the U.S. maintains heavy sanctions on Venezuela. With the Supreme Court recently ruling against maintaining Temporary Protected Status for many Venezuelans, the legal and humanitarian complexity surrounding this issue is likely to continue evolving.
