In a distressing revelation, human rights organizations have reported severe violations against 252 Venezuelan migrants currently detained at the Center for Confinement for Terrorism (CECOT) in El Salvador.

These individuals have been held for nearly 45 days without access to justice or due legal process, raising alarms about their treatment and the circumstances leading to their detention.

The Plight of Venezuelan Migrants

During a recent press conference, representatives from Cristosal and Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights shed light on the critical situation faced by these migrants.

Deported from the United States under the Trump administration’s policies, many of them are now enduring arbitrary detention in conditions of extreme vulnerability.

Noah Bullock, executive director of Cristosal, shared alarming statistics that highlight the unjust reality these individuals face: “40% of this group, representing 55% of the 250 deported to CECOT, had some form of immigration protection, whether it be Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or ongoing asylum applications.

Almost 90% of these people had no criminal records, indicating they have no legitimate reason for being imprisoned in a penal facility in El Salvador.”

The impact of this cruel situation is evident, as Cristosal has launched a platform for affected families, already documenting 139 cases of Venezuelan families caught in this plight. In response to the systemic injustices, Cristosal has filed 39 Habeas Corpus petitions with the Constitutional Chamber in El Salvador, seeking to challenge these detentions legally.

Inhumane Conditions and Denial of Rights

Kerry Kennedy, president of Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, did not shy away from highlighting the inhumane conditions faced by the detained migrants.

“We were informed that they are subjected to starvation diets, denied water and food, and lack essential medical care. They are also cut off from their families and denied access to legal representation,” she emphasized.

The organization is actively working to secure the release of ten Venezuelan migrants whom they represent legally but are facing significant hurdles in their efforts.

There have been reports of unreturned requests for visits, leaving these deported individuals in a state of potential enforced disappearance.

The situation highlights a troubling trend of government resistance to oversight and accountability.

The delegation from the human rights organizations attempted to gain access to various government offices in El Salvador, including the Presidency and Vice Presidency, but received no responses.

Kennedy stated, “We came here to meet with our clients and to document the human rights situation in El Salvador. Despite the rights that our clients and thousands of Salvadorans have to legal representation, the government, led by President Bukele, has not respected these rights and has denied us, as their lawyers, access to our clients.”

Unfounded Criminalization of Vulnerable Populations

The criminalization of migrants has been condemned by the Center for Exchange and Solidarity (CIS). Leslie Schuld, director of the organization, criticized the current atmosphere as resembling a state of exception.

“The United States has adopted a state of exception, and we lament that the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 has become a new regime for marginalizing foreigners.”

Schuld presented shocking cases illustrating the arbitrary nature of these detentions.

“As reported, individuals have been captured for having tattoos related to autism or because their family members are autistic. A Venezuelan who identifies as gay and engages in makeup for beauty competitions was also detained due to his crown from the competition.”

Ingrid Escobar, director of Humanitarian Legal Aid, highlighted a systemic violation of rights, stating, “They have been denied their right to due process, their right to a hearing, their right to defense, and their right to a fair trial, including the crucial presumption of innocence.”

According to Cristosal’s report:

• In 48% of registered cases, detainees are accused of committing a crime, primarily concerning vague allegations of gang affiliation (specifically linked to Tren de Aragua).
• Only 13% of reported cases indicate that the individual has a criminal background.
• A staggering 94% of detentions were executed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
• While 95% of families knew where their loved ones were housed in the United States before deportation, only 33% managed to communicate with them during their detention.
• Communication has become virtually nonexistent after their transfer to El Salvador.

International Outcry and Calls for Action

Human rights organizations have announced plans to present a comprehensive report to the United States Congress and the United Nations regarding the plight of these Venezuelan migrants, who remain incommunicado in a maximum-security prison in El Salvador.

The press conference served as a platform to express international concern over what advocates describe as a severe human rights crisis that disproportionately affects Venezuelan migrants—most of whom have no proven criminal ties.

This urgent situation calls for immediate attention and action from the international community, as these individuals seek not only justice but also the basic human rights that everyone deserves.

The struggle for the recognition of their dignity and rights continues, and the world must not turn a blind eye to their suffering.

It is imperative that governments prioritize human rights and the rule of law, ensuring that those who seek refuge from persecution are treated with the respect and humanity they deserve.

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