Venezuela Alleges Torture of US-Deported Migrants in El Salvador: A Gripping Human Rights Crisis

Venezuela is looking into serious claims about human rights abuses involving migrants sent to an El Salvador prison. Over 250 Venezuelans were returned to their homeland near Caracas after being held in El Salvador since March. They had been deported from the United States under a controversial law.

Venezuelan Attorney General Tarek William Saab accused the El Salvador prison system of “systemic torture,” which reportedly included sexual abuse, daily beatings, and poor food quality. So far, El Salvador has not addressed these accusations.

At a recent press conference, Saab shared stories and images suggesting that prisoners had suffered injuries such as bruises and missing teeth. The BBC has not independently verified these claims. Venezuela has decided to investigate El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele, Justice Minister Gustavo Villatoro, and prison head Osiris Luna Meza. Saab urged international organizations, like the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the UN Human Rights Council, to join in the inquiry.

Ironically, Venezuela itself is under investigation by the ICC for similar charges, including torture and denying prisoners access to legal help.

The deported Venezuelans were sent back under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, a law that allows the U.S. president to detain and deport citizens of “enemy” nations. They were accused of being gang members, a claim that their families and lawyers deny.

These men were held in a notorious facility known as the Terrorism Confinement Center, designed for alleged gang members. They reportedly had no access to lawyers or visitors. A photo released by Bukele’s government showing them handcuffed and with shaved heads raised international concerns.

They were released in July after negotiations that included the US sending home some of its nationals held in Venezuela. A senior official from the Trump administration expressed gratitude to Bukele for his role in the deal.

The situation is complicated by ongoing sanctions from the US against Venezuela. In May, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that it could revoke Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelans, which could impact about 350,000 people.

In light of these developments, social media has become a platform for discussions around human rights and immigration policies, reflecting a growing concern for vulnerable populations. As international scrutiny grows, the implications for diplomatic relations between Venezuela and El Salvador might deepen in the months to come.



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