Venezuelan Attorney General Tarek William Saab responded to El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele’s criticism of the investigation into abuses against Venezuelan migrants at the CECOT detention center. Through Instagram, Saab challenged Bukele to refute the testimonies of the victims, who reported tortures, sexual harassment, and mistreatment during the 125 days of illegal confinement:
«Do deny that you are not the Central American genocidal murderer. I demand Mr. Bukele to present evidence refuting the accounts of our compatriots, who suffered cruel treatment under his rule,» declared Saab. He also noted that the accusations, which include abuse by drugged guards, are supported by medical and psychiatric reports.
The prosecutor accused Bukele of being responsible for the CECOT, comparing it to the extermination camps of dictatorships, and highlighted that some 85,000 Salvadorans had also been arbitrarily detained. He warned that the evidence would be shared with the International Criminal Court and human rights organizations to prosecute the president.
Saab’s response came after Bukele rejected the Venezuelan investigation into torture against migrants, who reported beatings, threats, and malnutrition at the CECOT.