US Deportees to El Salvador Suffer Systematic Torture Under Trump Administration
A scathing report has revealed the harrowing treatment of over 250 Venezuelans who were forcibly deported to El Salvador under former President Donald Trump's mass deportation policy. The damning findings, compiled by Human Rights Watch (HRW) and Cristosal, confirm that the administration was complicit in the systematic torture and abuse of these asylum seekers.
The prisoners, many with no prior convictions in the US, endured prolonged incommunicado detention, inadequate food, and cruel treatment at El Salvador's notorious Cecot facility. They were subjected to constant beatings, some cases of sexual violence, and ill-treatment, which the report describes as a "systematic pattern" designed to subjugate, humiliate, and discipline detainees.
The investigation found that officers believed their superiors supported or tolerated abusive acts, while the Trump administration was fully aware that its orders would lead to the men's mistreatment. The groups demanding accountability also point out disturbing connections between this abuse and similar human rights violations in the past, including Abu Ghraib during the "war on terror".
The US government paid over $4.7 million to cover the costs of the detention, while Cristosal reports that the Salvadorian prison system was "hired as a prop in a theatre of cruelty". The Trump administration's willingness to prioritize brutality over human rights is starkly contrasted with claims made by President Nayyib Bukele, who has styled himself as "the world coolest dictator".
HRW's Americas Director Juanita Goebertus condemned the Trump administration for its role in systemic torture and enforced disappearances. The groups are now pushing for an independent investigation into US complicity in these abuses, although this seems unlikely.
The report found that some detainees were beaten for minor infractions, such as talking too loudly or showering at the wrong time. Beatings also followed visits by international organizations like the International Committee of the Red Cross and US homeland security secretary Kristi Noem. One prisoner recounted being forced to perform oral sex on a guard, highlighting the widespread nature of these abuses.
In an astonishingly brazen display, prisoners were subjected to beatings after a high-profile visit from Kristi Noem, with Goebertus stressing that this confirmed the administration's complicity in their mistreatment. The report documented at least three cases of sexual abuse, although many more went unreported due to social stigma.
The investigation revealed that these abuses are not isolated incidents but part of a broader, systemic pattern in Salvadorian prisons, which have seen 90,000 arbitrarily detained and tortured since 2020. At least 420 people have died as a direct result of this system, according to Cristosal's estimates.
The damning report paints a picture of an administration that prioritized brutal enforcement over the rights and dignity of migrants. As Cristosal Executive Director Noah Bullock put it, "They hired the Salvadorian prison system as a prop in a theatre of cruelty", demonstrating their apparent disregard for human life in pursuit of their agenda.
A scathing report has revealed the harrowing treatment of over 250 Venezuelans who were forcibly deported to El Salvador under former President Donald Trump's mass deportation policy. The damning findings, compiled by Human Rights Watch (HRW) and Cristosal, confirm that the administration was complicit in the systematic torture and abuse of these asylum seekers.
The prisoners, many with no prior convictions in the US, endured prolonged incommunicado detention, inadequate food, and cruel treatment at El Salvador's notorious Cecot facility. They were subjected to constant beatings, some cases of sexual violence, and ill-treatment, which the report describes as a "systematic pattern" designed to subjugate, humiliate, and discipline detainees.
The investigation found that officers believed their superiors supported or tolerated abusive acts, while the Trump administration was fully aware that its orders would lead to the men's mistreatment. The groups demanding accountability also point out disturbing connections between this abuse and similar human rights violations in the past, including Abu Ghraib during the "war on terror".
The US government paid over $4.7 million to cover the costs of the detention, while Cristosal reports that the Salvadorian prison system was "hired as a prop in a theatre of cruelty". The Trump administration's willingness to prioritize brutality over human rights is starkly contrasted with claims made by President Nayyib Bukele, who has styled himself as "the world coolest dictator".
HRW's Americas Director Juanita Goebertus condemned the Trump administration for its role in systemic torture and enforced disappearances. The groups are now pushing for an independent investigation into US complicity in these abuses, although this seems unlikely.
The report found that some detainees were beaten for minor infractions, such as talking too loudly or showering at the wrong time. Beatings also followed visits by international organizations like the International Committee of the Red Cross and US homeland security secretary Kristi Noem. One prisoner recounted being forced to perform oral sex on a guard, highlighting the widespread nature of these abuses.
In an astonishingly brazen display, prisoners were subjected to beatings after a high-profile visit from Kristi Noem, with Goebertus stressing that this confirmed the administration's complicity in their mistreatment. The report documented at least three cases of sexual abuse, although many more went unreported due to social stigma.
The investigation revealed that these abuses are not isolated incidents but part of a broader, systemic pattern in Salvadorian prisons, which have seen 90,000 arbitrarily detained and tortured since 2020. At least 420 people have died as a direct result of this system, according to Cristosal's estimates.
The damning report paints a picture of an administration that prioritized brutal enforcement over the rights and dignity of migrants. As Cristosal Executive Director Noah Bullock put it, "They hired the Salvadorian prison system as a prop in a theatre of cruelty", demonstrating their apparent disregard for human life in pursuit of their agenda.
honestly cant believe what I'm reading about these venezuelans who were sent to el salvador under trump's deportation policy its like something out of a nightmare, all that torture and abuse... 250 people, over 4 million dollars paid for it and no one held accountable yet. the fact that these americans are saying "the world coolest dictator" is just mind blown, doesnt he know about human rights or whats good? 
This is absolutely appalling! The Trump administration's role in the systematic torture and abuse of over 250 Venezuelans who were forcibly deported to El Salvador is a dark stain on US history 
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, are chilling. The report highlights a pattern of systemic torture and enforced disappearances, with US complicity being a major factor 
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. The Salvadorian prison system's role in perpetuating this cruelty is also a major concern 
. We need to ensure that our immigration policies prioritize human rights and dignity, rather than brutal enforcement 
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This is wild stuff... I don't even know how they got away with this kinda torture under Trump's watch. It's like, we knew he was a hardliner on immigration but I didn't think it went this far 
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The fact that some detainees were even beaten for talking too loudly or showering at the wrong time is just heartbreaking 
We need to demand accountability and justice for these men, and also for the systemic torture that's been happening in Salvadorian prisons 
. And to think Nayyib Bukele's trying to spin this as some kind of "coolest dictator" thing? 
Give me a break...
. They should be apologizing to these Venezuelans and offering real help instead of just trying to cover their tracks. And what's up with the "world coolest dictator" label from President Bukele? Sounds like a PR stunt 
. I think it's time for some real accountability, maybe even an independent investigation. The Trump administration should be held responsible for these heinous crimes against humanity. We need to make sure that our leaders prioritize human rights over politics and power. This is not just about Venezuela or El Salvador; it's about the values we stand for as a global community 
. I mean, $4.7 million for the costs of detention? That's not money wasted, that's money used to enable human rights abuses 
. If he's really as cool as he thinks he is, why doesn't he speak out against this kind of abuse? Is it because he's just as complicit or does he not care 
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. The US government uses their power to deport people and then turns a blind eye when they're being tortured. That's not leadership, that's cowardice 
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... I mean, come on! What kind of system allows this to happen?
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