Families of Venezuelan deportees currently held in El Salvador's notorious Cecot prison can petition the Salvadoran government for their loved ones' release. However, the effectiveness of this process remains uncertain, especially in a country facing accusations of arbitrary detention from various rights groups and even the US State Department. According to Andrés Guzmán, the head of El Salvador’s Human Rights and Freedom of Expression Commission, families who believe their relatives are being held unjustly can bring their concerns to their office.
Currently, families of 238 Venezuelans deported from the United States are anxiously waiting for updates about their loved ones. The deportation was executed by US President Donald Trump, who, along with 23 Salvadorans, accused these individuals of having connections to gangs like Tren de Aragua. After their deportation, the individuals were sent to the Center for Terrorism Confinement, known as Cecot, which is recognized as the largest prison in the Americas.
Several relatives have reportedly identified family members among the deportees and have vehemently denied the allegations of gang affiliation. The treatment of these detainees has drawn criticism from both the Venezuelan government and concerned families, who argue that neither the Salvadoran government nor the US has provided evidence to substantiate the claims of gang involvement.
Cecot has a capacity of 40,000 inmates and has faced long-standing criticism from human rights organizations for the alleged inhumane treatment of its detainees. A report from the US State Department in 2023 acknowledged cases of “torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment” by security forces, alongside reports of harsh and life-threatening prison conditions, as well as arbitrary arrests and detentions.
Currently, it is estimated that between 10,000 to 20,000 prisoners are housed in Cecot. However, neither the US nor the Salvadoran authorities have publicly identified the Venezuelans who were deported and imprisoned. Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele has stated that these detainees could serve up to a year in prison, with the possibility of extended sentences.
Guzmán’s office, while acknowledging the petitions, does not possess decision-making power. It merely collects and relays information regarding those believed to be unjustly detained to relevant authorities. Families and experts remain skeptical about the efficacy of Guzmán’s office. Gustavo Flores-Macias, a professor of government and public policy at Cornell University, expressed doubts, stating that the commission’s involvement is “unlikely to yield results.” He argues that as a Bukele-appointed official, Guzmán is likely more focused on defending the government’s reputation than advocating for the detainees' rights.
The situation is further complicated by a controversial agreement between the US and El Salvador. President Bukele has offered to house US deportees in Cecot in exchange for $6 million, which is intended to support El Salvador’s penitentiary system that costs approximately $200 million annually. The Bukele administration has vehemently denied allegations of misconduct, promoting its tough approach as having significantly reduced organized crime.
Under a state of emergency declared in 2022, authorities were granted extensive powers, allowing them to carry out what rights advocates describe as arbitrary detentions and violations of due process, enabling security forces to hold suspects without charges for up to 15 days. This measure remains in effect.
The Venezuelan government continues to demand the return of its citizens. President Nicolás Maduro recently urged Bukele to facilitate the handover of Venezuelan nationals back to Caracas. Bukele has yet to respond to Maduro’s statements or CNN's requests for comment. Additionally, Venezuela's special envoy for peace talks, Jorge Rodríguez Gómez, announced a deal with the US to facilitate the repatriation of Venezuelans detained in the US, with an initial flight scheduled shortly.
“Migrating is not a crime, and we will not rest until we achieve the return of all those who require it, and until we rescue our brothers kidnapped in El Salvador,” Rodríguez stated.
The Salvadoran government maintains that the rights of the deported detainees are being respected, asserting that foreign detainees receive the same treatment as Salvadorans within the prison system. Guzmán emphasized, “In the case of those deprived of liberty who come from another nationality, the treatment is completely identical to any other deprived of liberty within the Salvadoran prison system.”
However, this rhetoric has not alleviated the widespread discontent and rising tensions between the US and Venezuela. Demonstrations have erupted in Caracas, with groups of Venezuelans expressing their frustration and demanding the return of their relatives, whom they believe have been wrongfully detained.
