International Human Rights Watchdog Reports Torture and Abuse of Venezuelans in El Salvador's CECOT Prison

Records reviewed by Human Rights Watch and Cristosal show many Venezuelan deportees at CECOT had no prior criminal convictions in the U.S. or Latin America. (Credit: Photo by Alex Peña/Getty Images)

A few weeks after President Donald Trump took office, his administration reached an agreement with El Salvador allowing the country to receive deportees at the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT), a massive prison capable of holding thousands of inmates.

Although the deal was reached in early February, the first groups of Venezuelan deportees did not arrive until March and April. According to a recent report by Human Rights Watch, every detainee reported being beaten and subjected to abuse from the moment they arrived at CECOT until their release.