The Venezuelan Public Ministry has collected 123 denounces of human rights violations suffered by 252 Venezuelans repatriated from the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) in El Salvador. Attorney General Tarek William Saab described the events as «humiliation, mistreatment, and kidnapping,» documented after interviews conducted by 81 officials, including prosecutors and experts.
During a press conference, Saab compared the conditions at the CECOT to «Dante’s Inferno,» stating that the repatriates’ accounts “expose a bestial and unusual» reality. The denounces include illegal deprivation of liberty, daily physical torture, isolation in cells without sunlight, attacks with pellets, and inhumane treatment, including being held in forced positions for hours. Furthermore, they were denied medical care, given rotten food and water not suitable for drinking, and denied contact with family members or legal assistance.
The prosecutor accused Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele of being the «mastermind» of these crimes against humanity, calling him «the worst murderer in the Western Hemisphere.» In contrast, he highlighted the efforts of the Venezuelan government, which coordinated an «epic campaign» to repatriate those affected. He also denounced the fact that the Supreme Court of El Salvador ignored a request for intervention sent on March 30, responding 80 days later with a «letter that legitimized the disappearances.»
The Public Ministry assured that the 123 denounces will be filed with international organizations to demand justice.
Prosecutor’s Office will investigate three officials of El Salvador for human rights violations:
Prosecutor Tarek William Saab also announced an investigation into three officials of El Salvador, including President Nayib Bukele, for human rights violations against the 252 Venezuelans kidnapped in the Central American country. To this end, he appointed three special prosecutors to lead the case, accusing those involved of crimes such as torture, cruel treatment, and forced disappearance.
Among those under investigation are, in addition to Bukele, Héctor Gustavo Villatoro, Minister of Justice and Public Security, and Osiris Luna Mesa, director of prisons and deputy minister. Saab detailed that the actions of these officials would have violated international treaties such as the Convention against Torture and the Rome Statute.
The senior official called on the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the UN Human Rights Council to join forces in the investigation: «We invite international organizations to act as we are doing in Venezuela,» he stated, emphasizing the seriousness of the events.
The alleged crimes include not only torture and inhuman treatment, but also criminal conspiracy and enforced disappearance. The investigation will be based on legal instruments such as the International Convention against Forced Disappearances, strengthening the legal framework of the accusation.