Venezuelan authorities have launched an investigation following reports of human rights violations against migrants who were deported from the United States and imprisoned in El Salvador.
More than 250 Venezuelan nationals were repatriated on Friday; their plane landed near Caracas. Since March, they had been held in custody in El Salvador following their deportation from the United States.
Venezuela’s Attorney General Tarek William Saab stated that there had been "systematic use of torture" in the prison, including sexual violence, daily beatings, and the provision of spoiled food. El Salvador has not yet issued an official response to the allegations.
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At a press conference, Venezuela’s attorney general presented evidence and photographs that allegedly show detainees with bruises, missing teeth, and other injuries. SFG Media has not independently verified the authenticity of this material.
Venezuela intends to investigate the actions of Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, Justice Minister Gustavo Villatoro, and the head of the prison system, Osiris Luna Meza. Saab also called on the International Criminal Court, the UN Human Rights Council, and regional bodies in the Americas to conduct parallel investigations.
More than 250 migrants were deported to Venezuela after spending four months in El Salvador’s notorious CECOT prison.
Notably, Venezuela itself is currently under investigation by the ICC in The Hague—over allegations similar to those it is now leveling against El Salvador: torture of detainees and denial of access to legal counsel.
The deportation of Venezuelans took place in March under the 1798 "Alien Enemies" Act, which allows the U.S. president to expel nationals of “hostile” countries without trial. All those detained were accused of ties to a criminal organization—an allegation that, according to lawyers and family members, is baseless.
The detainees were held in the notorious CECOT prison, built to isolate terrorism suspects and gang members. They were denied access to legal representation or contact with their families. Their last public appearance was in official photographs released by the Bukele government, showing the men handcuffed and with shaved heads—images that sparked international outrage.
In mid-July, Salvadoran authorities released the detainees as part of a deal involving a prisoner swap for Americans held in Venezuela. A senior official from the Trump administration told reporters that the United States expressed its "deep, deep gratitude" to Bukele for his cooperation.
Meanwhile, the U.S. continues to enforce a policy of tough sanctions against Venezuela. In May, the U.S. Supreme Court approved the termination of Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelan nationals, potentially affecting some 350,000 people.