More than 250 Venezuelans returned home after accusations of systemic torture surfaced, prompting international scrutiny.
**Venezuela Investigates Allegations of Torture Against Migrants in El Salvador**
**Venezuela Investigates Allegations of Torture Against Migrants in El Salvador**
Venezuela launches an inquiry into alleged human rights violations of deported migrants detained in an El Salvador prison.
El Salvador's incarceration practices have come under fire as Venezuela declares an investigation into suspected human rights abuses of migrants held in CECOT prison. Over 250 Venezuelan nationals were repatriated on Friday after spending four months in custody following their deportation from the United States. Venezuelan Attorney General Tarek William Saab revealed claims of "systemic torture," including daily beatings, sexual abuse, and malnourished conditions.
In a press briefing, Saab presented testimonies and photographs of detainees showing visible injuries like bruising and dental damage. However, these claims remain unverified by external sources such as the BBC. Venezuelan authorities plan to investigate El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele, the Justice Minister Gustavo Villatoro, and the Head of Prisons Osiris Luna Meza, and have urged wider international bodies to take notice.
Additionally, Venezuela is under scrutiny by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for similar charges, paralleling their accusations against El Salvador. The migrants were expelled from the U.S. in March, framed as gang affiliates, a claim contested by their families and legal representatives. They faced harsh conditions in the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT), designed for holding alleged gang members, lacking access to legal representation.
Their release in mid-July coincided with a diplomatic exchange involving U.S. nationals, which drew praise from a senior Trump administration official towards Bukele. Amid these events, the U.S. continues to impose sanctions on Venezuela, and a recent court decision may impact the legal status of hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans in the U.S. as concerns about migrant welfare persist.
In a press briefing, Saab presented testimonies and photographs of detainees showing visible injuries like bruising and dental damage. However, these claims remain unverified by external sources such as the BBC. Venezuelan authorities plan to investigate El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele, the Justice Minister Gustavo Villatoro, and the Head of Prisons Osiris Luna Meza, and have urged wider international bodies to take notice.
Additionally, Venezuela is under scrutiny by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for similar charges, paralleling their accusations against El Salvador. The migrants were expelled from the U.S. in March, framed as gang affiliates, a claim contested by their families and legal representatives. They faced harsh conditions in the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT), designed for holding alleged gang members, lacking access to legal representation.
Their release in mid-July coincided with a diplomatic exchange involving U.S. nationals, which drew praise from a senior Trump administration official towards Bukele. Amid these events, the U.S. continues to impose sanctions on Venezuela, and a recent court decision may impact the legal status of hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans in the U.S. as concerns about migrant welfare persist.
