Now That Theyre Free
3 minute readPublished: Wednesday, July 30, 2025 at 10:00 am
Venezuelan Deportees Recount Abuse in Salvadoran Prison
A recent investigation by ProPublica, The Texas Tribune, and Venezuelan journalists reveals harrowing accounts of abuse endured by over 230 Venezuelan men deported by the Trump administration to a maximum-security prison in El Salvador, CECOT. The deportations, which occurred on March 15th, were carried out under the premise that the men were violent criminals and gang members, a claim the investigation challenges.
The deported men, now back in Venezuela after a prisoner swap, describe brutal treatment during their four-month imprisonment. They allege physical assaults, including beatings, being forced to kneel and lick the backs of other inmates, and psychological torment. They report being denied access to legal counsel and communication with their families. The investigation found that at least 197 of the men had no criminal convictions in the U.S. and that nearly half had open immigration cases at the time of their deportation.
The Trump administration invoked the Alien Enemies Act to justify the deportations, linking the men to a Venezuelan prison gang. However, the investigation suggests that the administration's claims were exaggerated and obscured the truth about the men's backgrounds. The men's accounts paint a picture of arbitrary violence and dehumanization, leaving lasting physical and psychological scars.
The U.S. government has denied responsibility for the conditions of the men's detention in El Salvador.
BNN's Perspective: While the investigation raises serious concerns about the treatment of the deportees and the accuracy of the initial claims made by the Trump administration, it is important to acknowledge the complexities of immigration enforcement and the need to balance national security with human rights. The allegations of abuse warrant further investigation, and the government should be held accountable for any wrongdoing.
Keywords: Venezuelan deportations, CECOT, El Salvador, Trump administration, immigration, abuse, prison, violence, human rights, deportation, gang, criminal, investigation, ProPublica, The Texas Tribune.