Venezuela has announced the start of an investigation into several Salvadoran officials, including President Nayib Bukele, over alleged mistreatment of Venezuelan migrants who were deported from the United States.
According to information from U.S. officials, about 252 Venezuelans who had previously been held at the Cecot prison after deportation were returned to Venezuela on Friday. This occurred as part of an agreement under which El Salvador received 10 U.S. citizens and several Venezuelan political prisoners.
Venezuela had previously accused El Salvador of kidnapping the detainees, as the country agreed to take them under its control as part of the deal with the U.S. El Salvador claims the detainees have ties to the Venezuelan criminal gang Tren de Aragua, but lawyers, human rights activists, and relatives deny this, noting that many had no criminal record.
Venezuela’s Attorney General Tarek William Saab held a press conference where he showed edited video footage of detainees sharing their experiences in prison. He reported receiving 123 complaints of mistreatment, including cases of sexual violence, torture, and beatings by Salvadoran guards.
In one video, a man claims he was a victim of sexual assault.
In another video, several detainees show numerous bruises and scars, claiming they were beaten, shot with rubber bullets, and exposed to tear gas.
CNN is unable to independently verify the extent of the injuries, the timing of when they were sustained, or whether the men spoke under duress. CNN representatives have reached out to the Salvadoran administration for comments.
Earlier, the Bukele administration stated that it respects the rights of detainees “regardless of nationality” and that the prison system meets standards of security and order.
Venezuela has also faced accusations of mistreatment in its prisons, but the government insists on respecting prisoners’ rights.
The released migrants have not yet been reunited with their families in Venezuela. Authorities report that they are undergoing medical, immigration, and criminal checks, which is a routine procedure for deportees returning to the country.
Two relatives of former detainees told CNN they are still waiting for their loved ones to be handed over by Venezuelan officials. One relative said her nephew might be handed over today. CNN was unable to speak with any of the released Venezuelans.
The migrants arrived at Simón Bolívar International Airport near Caracas on two flights from El Salvador, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro said.
Families of the former detainees expressed joy over their return on Friday.
Marilyn Araujo, wife of Hersey Reyes, said she is “extremely happy.”
“My two daughters are very happy; they are eagerly awaiting their father’s return,”
– Marilyn Araujo
Blanca Martínez, partner of another former detainee Miguel Ángel Rojas, told CNN she is looking forward to the first call from him in four months.
“The thought that we will be able to hear from him… it moves me deeply. I am happy, happy for him, his son, his mother, his father, his entire family,”
– Blanca Martínez
Osmary Hernández and Merlin Delsid contributed to the preparation of this material.