A new report by Human Rights Watch (HRW) and the Central American rights group Cristosal alleges that dozens of Venezuelan migrants deported from the United States to El Salvador were subjected to serious human rights abuses, including torture and sexual violence, in the notorious Cecot prison. According to the report, the migrants faced beatings, solitary confinement, and extreme psychological distress.

Allegations of Abuse at Cecot

The report includes interviews with 40 of the 252 Venezuelans deported to Cecot earlier this year. They described being beaten by guards, punished with solitary confinement for protesting, and, in some cases, driven to the brink of suicide. One detainee, Gonzalo, 26, from Zulia, Venezuela, said, “The nightmare began the moment they took me off the plane. One guard told us, ‘Welcome to hell.’”

Other detainees claimed that during daily cell searches, guards assaulted them with kicks, punches, and batons. Three interviewees reported experiencing sexual violence. Some detainees said guards told them they would “never leave alive,” that “no one knew they were there,” and that “their families had abandoned them.” Several reported suicidal thoughts, and at least one attempted suicide.

U.S. and El Salvador Authorities’ Position

Under former President Donald Trump, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) justified the deportations, claiming the individuals were members of the Tren de Aragua and MS-13 gangs, which it described as some of the “world’s most violent and ruthless terror gangs.”

However, HRW and Cristosal’s report states that about half of the deported Venezuelans had no criminal record, and only 3% had convictions for violent or potentially violent offenses. Interviewees, including Jerce Reyes, José Mora, and Rafael Martínez, said they were wrongly accused of gang membership and deported despite their denials.

Detainees’ Experiences

Gonzalo described the moment of arrival at Cecot as a “nightmare.” Makeup artist Andry Hernández recounted his arrival with the words, “Welcome to Cecot hell.” Reyes, Mora, and Martínez reported being frequently beaten by guards, often for minor or arbitrary rule violations. They also alleged being denied basic rights such as access to lawyers and adequate living conditions.

Martínez said he was punished after putting his head through the cell bars while feeling ill; he was taken to another cell and beaten by about eight guards, breaking his right arm. Mora stated, “The guards subjected us to both physical and psychological torture.” Detainees also staged protests demanding basic rights, which were met with rubber bullets and harsh retaliation.

Findings by Human Rights Watch and Cristosal

The report emphasizes that the majority of Venezuelans sent to Cecot had no criminal records, and only a small fraction had committed violent crimes in the U.S. Interviewees claimed their deportation was unjust and illegal. The report underscores the serious human rights risks posed by the deportation policy under the Trump administration and the systemic abuse vulnerabilities within El Salvador’s prison system.