CBS News delayed the broadcast of a “60 Minutes” report, “Inside CECOT,” focusing on deportees sent to a notorious Salvadoran prison under the Trump administration, while it aired in Canada. The report includes interviews with deportees who described torture and abuse at the CECOT facility, where they were incarcerated after being deported from the U.S. The segment also featured a clip of President Trump praising the prison facilities in El Salvador, alongside Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s visit to the facility. The decision to delay the broadcast in the U.S. has been criticized by the reporter, Sharyn Alfonsi, and others, who accused the network of political motivations, despite the segment receiving internal clearance.
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A scheduled “60 Minutes” segment on El Salvador’s CECOT prison, featuring interviews with deported prisoners, was pulled from its broadcast. This decision follows Paramount Skydance’s appointment of Bari Weiss as editor-in-chief of CBS News, which has drawn criticism regarding potential bias. The segment, focusing on the Trump administration’s deportation of migrants to CECOT, a prison known for alleged torture, had a teaser released before being removed along with a notice that the report would be released at a later date. This has sparked accusations of censorship and prompted discussions about the network’s editorial direction, with many commentators speculating on the reasons for the delay.
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A controversial “60 Minutes” segment on the El Salvador megaprison CECOT, which housed immigrants deported by the Trump administration, was abruptly pulled from the broadcast. An email from correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi alleges that the new editor-in-chief, Bari Weiss, made the decision, calling it a political move. The story had already passed legal and editorial checks and was ready to air, but Weiss reportedly cited a need for additional reporting, specifically an interview with Stephen Miller. The cancellation has sparked accusations of corporate censorship and a betrayal of journalistic principles, especially since the story was screened five times and cleared by both CBS attorneys and Standards and Practices.
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A scheduled 60 Minutes segment investigating the CECOT megaprison in El Salvador, which houses deportees, was abruptly pulled from the broadcast lineup. According to a CBS News spokesperson, the episode required additional reporting, while sources claim it had already been thoroughly vetted. Reports suggest the delay may be due to the need for comment from White House officials or concerns from CBS News’ chief editor. The episode’s investigation found that many of the deported men had no criminal record. This cancellation follows comments from Trump regarding the new CBS ownership, as well as a history of conflict between Trump and the news program.
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El Salvador’s government, in a move that seems ripped from a dystopian novel, has reportedly imposed restrictions on the use of certain words and concepts. This isn’t about outlawing the terms outright in everyday conversation, but rather, it is a new style manual for educational materials and official documents. The focus is to scrub “feminism,” “diversity,” and, perhaps most concerning, anything related to climate change. The stated reasons, as far as they have been made public, are couched in vague notions of cultural values and clarity. But let’s be honest, it raises a lot of eyebrows, to say the least.
The core of this directive appears to be a shift in educational language.… Continue reading
According to a recent intergovernmental report, El Salvador is experiencing the most rapid decline in democratic indicators within Latin America and the Caribbean. This deterioration is largely attributed to President Nayib Bukele’s policies, including a state of emergency that has led to arrests without court orders and a controversial move to allow indefinite reelection. The report highlights a sharp decline in freedoms, a weakening of the rule of law and judicial independence, and notes that El Salvador now has the world’s highest incarceration rate. The Bukele model, while popular, is associated with serious human rights concerns, including torture and abuse, and the country is now ranked with Afghanistan, Chad, Myanmar, and Tunisia.
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In a move that has sparked controversy, the Legislative Assembly in El Salvador, controlled by President Nayib Bukele’s party, approved constitutional changes enabling indefinite presidential reelection and extending presidential terms to six years. The proposal also included the elimination of a second round of elections. This decision follows Bukele’s reelection last year despite a constitutional ban, raising concerns among observers about the consolidation of power. While supporters argue the changes align presidential terms with congressional elections, critics like Marcela Villatoro have condemned the move as a death knell for democracy, warning of increased corruption and weakened political participation.
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Venezuelan makeup artist returns home, after spending four months in El Salvador’s CECOT prison, where he, along with other detainees, claims to have endured brutal treatment. The details that have emerged paint a grim picture of life inside the facility, including allegations of beatings, rubber projectile attacks, solitary confinement in dark cells, and the provision of spoiled food. Andry Hernandez, the makeup artist at the heart of this story, is now back in Venezuela, finally reunited with his loved ones after the ordeal. He, along with other detainees, was part of a prisoner exchange that saw them return to their home country last Friday.… Continue reading
In El Salvador, a growing exodus of journalists, activists, and human rights advocates is taking place due to the increasingly authoritarian government of President Nayib Bukele. This exodus is spurred by targeted harassment, threats, and the implementation of laws designed to silence dissent and criminalize criticism. The situation has worsened with the U.S. government’s collaboration with Bukele, who is seen as part of a global network of right-wing leaders employing similar tactics to consolidate power and suppress opposition, especially anyone critical of his administration. Facing no recourse in a system that has no guarantees of justice, these individuals are fleeing the country, hoping to continue their work from abroad while also advocating for the freedom of those who remain imprisoned.
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Andry José Hernández Romero, a Venezuelan asylum seeker, was labeled a criminal and sent to El Salvador’s CECOT prison, a place known for inhumane conditions. Despite applying for asylum legally, his devotion to his family, expressed through tattoos, was used against him in what appears to be a propaganda campaign. After his disappearance, his family and legal team have had no contact with him for months and are unsure if he is still alive. Government officials refuse to confirm his whereabouts, highlighting the administration’s efforts to make seeking asylum a crime punishable by torture or even death.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood