Venezuelan Men Allege Abuse, Torture in El Salvador CECOT Prison

Over 250 Venezuelan men deported by the Trump administration to El Salvador's notorious CECOT megaprison reported enduring severe physical and psychological torture, including beatings, deprivation of basic necessities, and at least one confirmed case of sexual assault by prison staff. The men, accused—often without evidence—of gang affiliation, described brutal conditions such as constant violence, humiliation, denial of food and hygiene, and threats of lengthy incarceration unless former President Trump intervened. Many had no criminal records, with some detained merely for having tattoos. Their families and lawyers, along with the Venezuelan government, campaigned for their release, ultimately resulting in a prisoner swap that brought the men home in July 2024. Upon return, Venezuelan officials called the repatriation historic and have begun documenting over a hundred complaints of unlawful detention and abuse. The ordeal highlights both alleged human rights abuses at CECOT and controversial U.S. immigration enforcement practices.