Unveiling the Hidden Ordeal of Venezuelan Migrants in El Salvador
In a stark chapter of U.S. immigration policy, more than 250 Venezuelan men were deported to a maximum-security prison in El Salvador in early 2025 under the Trump administration’s controversial strategy of outsourcing migration enforcement. This move aimed to deter migration and clamp down on what was framed as a national security threat linked to Venezuela’s authoritarian regime.
Harsh Treatment and Human Rights Violations
We interviewed 40 of these men after their release, many now back in Venezuela, who recounted harrowing experiences of beatings, sexual assault, and psychological torment within the notorious Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) in Tecoluca, El Salvador. Their testimonies describe a brutal environment where detainees were subjected to torture techniques, including forced waterboarding simulations and prolonged stress positions.
Independent forensic experts specializing in torture verification found the men’s accounts consistent and credible, aligning with the United Nations’ definition of torture and suggesting systemic and institutionalized abuse at CECOT.
The Political Context: Trump’s Hardline Approach on Venezuela
President Trump, from the outset of his tenure, cast Venezuela under Nicolás Maduro not just as a diplomatic adversary but as a security threat. He accused the Venezuelan government and allied gangs, notably the Tren de Aragua, of orchestrating an “invasion” through irregular migration aimed at destabilizing the U.S. These claims justified an unprecedented deportation strategy relying on the seldom-used Alien Enemies Act.
Yet, investigations indicate that only a fraction—approximately 13%—of those deported had documented serious criminal accusations beyond minor offenses, challenging the administration’s rhetoric that categorically painted the group as dangerous criminals and terrorists.
Life Inside CECOT: A Living Nightmare
The conditions inmates endured were horrendous. Men described 10-person cells lit harshly 24/7, insufficient and poor-quality food, inadequate medical care, and random, cruel punishments like solitary confinement in a cell ominously named "the island." Physical abuse was routine: guards fired rubber bullets at close range, beat detainees, and subjected some to degrading sexual assaults. Hunger strikes, bodily self-harm, and suicide attempts underscored the acute desperation.
One former detainee, Luis Chacón, who had previously found work as an Uber Eats driver in Milwaukee, recounted attempting suicide amid the despair, triggered on his son’s birthday—an event emblematic of the psychological scars these men now bear.
Return and Aftermath: The Opaque Diplomatic Deal
In a shadowy deal, the Venezuelan government negotiated the return of the detained men in exchange for releasing U.S. citizens and residents held in Venezuela. Upon arrival, the men faced scrutiny and surveillance by the Maduro regime, adding layers of complication to their plight as both victims and political pawns.
Physical and mental health challenges persist amongst many former inmates, with reports of chronic pain, PTSD symptoms, and inadequate access to medical treatment. These sufferings highlight the long-term human cost of policies prioritizing deterrence over humanity.
Expert Perspectives: The Risk of Legal and Ethical Precedents
The use of the Alien Enemies Act for deporting migrants to foreign prisons raises serious legal and ethical questions about due process and human rights protections. While a federal appeals court later blocked this pathway, the broader strategy of transferring migrants to third countries remains a tool in immigration enforcement, raising concerns about transparency and accountability.
Experts argue that framing migrants as threats can undermine the foundational principles of asylum and refuge, especially when many are fleeing repression. It also shifts the detention burden onto countries like El Salvador, whose carceral systems may lack safeguards against abuse.
Underreported Narratives: Migrants as Victims, Not Threats
These men’s accounts challenge the simplistic portrayal of Venezuelan migrants as gang affiliates or criminals. Many fled Venezuela’s economic collapse and political repression, seeking safety and opportunity abroad. Notably, some had sought asylum in the U.S., citing persecution for opposition to Maduro’s regime.
This perspective begs a crucial question: How can migration policies balance sovereign security with humanitarian obligations in the face of complex geopolitical conflicts?
Editor’s Note
The deportation of Venezuelan migrants to an El Salvador prison shines a harsh light on the intersection of immigration enforcement, human rights, and geopolitics. This case underscores the need for transparent, humane migration policies anchored in respect for international law. As the U.S. and global actors reimagine immigration strategies, the stories of these men remind us of the human faces behind policy decisions and the enduring costs of treating migrants primarily as security threats rather than individuals seeking refuge.
