Over 250 Venezuelan migrants, repatriated after four months of alleged abuses in an El Salvador prison, have spurred calls for international accountability as Venezuela announces an investigation into the claims of systematic torture.
Venezuela Launches Investigation into Alleged Torture of Migrants in El Salvador
Venezuela Launches Investigation into Alleged Torture of Migrants in El Salvador
Reports emerge of severe human rights abuses faced by Venezuelan migrants detained in El Salvador, triggering an official probe from Caracas.
Venezuela has initiated an investigation into disturbing allegations of human rights abuses involving its migrants who were detained in an El Salvador prison. The move follows the repatriation of over 250 Venezuelans on Friday after enduring four months of imprisonment in the infamous CECOT facility, known for housing alleged gang members.
Venezuelan Attorney General Tarek William Saab condemned the conditions within the prison, citing claims of "systemic torture" that included sexual abuse, daily beatings, and substandard food. El Salvador has yet to issue a response to these serious allegations.
During a recent press conference, Saab shared testimonies and images that he claims depict inmates suffering from visible injuries like bruises and missing teeth, although the authenticity of these claims has not yet been verified by independent sources. Caracas is also considering extending its inquiry to El Salvador's key officials, including President Nayib Bukele, Justice Minister Gustavo Villatoro, and the Head of Prisons, Osiris Luna Meza.
The Venezuelan government has called on international organizations such as the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the UN Human Rights Council to investigate the case further. Ironically, Venezuela is itself under an ICC investigation for similar accusations of torture and violations of legal rights within its prison system.
The deportees returned to Venezuela were expelled in March as part of a broader crackdown associated with the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, which empowers US authorities to detain and deport individuals from perceived "enemy" nations without normal judicial assistance. Many detainees claimed they were wrongfully accused of gang affiliations, a narrative that relatives and lawyers have strenuously denied.
The contested group, who had no access to legal representation or family, were publicly displayed upon arrival in El Salvador, handcuffed with shaved heads, a move that garnered worldwide condemnation. They were eventually released in July following negotiations to facilitate the return of US nationals from Venezuela, with US officials expressing gratitude to President Bukele for his involvement.
As US sanctions against Venezuela continue to tighten, the implications of these detentions raise significant concerns about the treatment of migrants in regional detention systems and the intertwined political dynamics affecting immigration policies.
