The El Salvador government has directly contradicted the Trump administration’s stance on responsibility for deported migrants held in its prisons. While the Trump administration has claimed it has no power to bring back the deportees, El Salvador has stated that the U.S. holds the “legal responsibility” for the individuals. These statements were made in response to a U.N. inquiry concerning the disappearance of a relative within the Salvadoran prison system. The article also highlights that many of those deported, accused of gang affiliation, may have no connection to the gangs, raising questions about the legality and treatment of these individuals.
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According to new court filings, the Salvadoran government informed United Nations investigators that the Trump administration retains control over a group of Venezuelan men deported from the U.S. to a controversial prison, directly contradicting prior public statements. Salvadoran authorities stated that the U.S. maintains “jurisdiction and legal responsibility” for the detainees, despite the deportations occurring after a judge’s order to halt the flights. Lawyers for the deportees are using this information to argue against the administration’s claim that they are no longer responsible for the men. The U.S. had previously paid El Salvador to detain the migrants under a controversial agreement, further complicating the legal battles surrounding the deportations.
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New court documents reveal that Kilmar Ábrego García, wrongfully deported to El Salvador, endured severe physical and psychological torture during his three-month detention at the notorious Cecot prison. He was forced to kneel for extended periods, denied basic necessities, and held in overcrowded, windowless cells under constant bright lights. Despite prison officials acknowledging his lack of gang affiliation, they threatened his safety while also staging photos to appear as though conditions had improved. Ábrego García faces human-smuggling charges in the U.S., while legal battles continue over his potential deportation to a third country.
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Kilmar Abrego Garcia, mistakenly deported to El Salvador by the Trump administration, detailed severe abuse in the country’s infamous CECOT prison in new court documents. He reported experiencing beatings, sleep deprivation, and psychological torture, including threats from officials. Despite a 2019 order barring his deportation due to potential gang persecution, the administration deported him, later attributing it to an “administrative error.” Abrego Garcia’s account of his ordeal, including witnessing violence and rapid weight loss, has been added to a lawsuit against the Trump administration.
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In November 2022, an FBI informant, identified as John Doe, sought refuge in the U.S. after agreeing to testify against MS-13 members in Massachusetts. Despite assurances, he was arrested in El Salvador, imprisoned, and allegedly tortured before being released to the FBI. However, the U.S. government has since revealed his identity, and is now attempting to deport him, despite claims that he faces a death sentence if returned to El Salvador. An immigration judge has temporarily blocked his removal, and the case is ongoing, raising questions about the government’s commitment to protecting informants.
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President Trump, despite campaigning on a platform of law and order and prosecuting undocumented migrants, is reportedly considering dropping charges against leaders of the MS-13 gang, a move seemingly connected to strengthening his relationship with El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele. This potential decision would undermine the work of “Vulcan,” a task force specifically designed to combat MS-13, which resulted in the capture of several gang leaders. The U.S. Attorney’s office has already requested to drop charges against two MS-13 leaders, citing “geopolitical” and “national security” considerations. Experts suggest these actions are a quid pro quo, potentially protecting Bukele from revelations about his alleged power-sharing deals with organized criminal groups.
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A ProPublica investigation, based on a U.S. government inquiry, alleges that Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele’s administration made a secret pact with MS-13 gang leaders. This deal allegedly involved blocking extraditions of gang leaders, persecuting law enforcement officials, and potentially diverting U.S. aid funds to the gang in exchange for political support and reduced homicide rates. The investigation implicated Bukele and other senior officials in money laundering related to these activities. This alleged deal follows a history of similar, though smaller-scale, pacts between Salvadoran governments and gangs, highlighting a complex relationship between the two.
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Prominent El Salvadoran human rights lawyer Ruth Eleonora Lopez, a vocal critic of President Nayib Bukele and advocate for deported Venezuelan migrants, was arrested on Sunday. Authorities allege embezzlement from a decade prior, a charge rejected by Cristosal, the human rights group where Lopez works. Her arrest, condemned by Amnesty International and other groups, is viewed as a manifestation of increasing authoritarianism under Bukele’s administration. The refusal to disclose Lopez’s location or allow legal access further fuels concerns about due process violations.
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Rep. Matt Gaetz, during a July 2024 visit to El Salvador’s notorious mega-prison, CECOT, proposed using the facility to house migrants to Stephen Miller, a top Trump advisor. This suggestion, subsequently relayed to Trump, involved a deal brokered by the State Department with El Salvador’s President Bukele, despite human rights concerns surrounding CECOT. Trump expressed support for the plan, even suggesting the imprisonment of U.S. citizens in CECOT. The plan’s implementation has already resulted in the deportation of individuals to the prison, prompting legal challenges and sparking outrage.
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Following a government-mandated week of free bus rides in El Salvador due to highway construction, President Nayib Bukele ordered the arrest of five bus company heads for allegedly defying the order. The arrests, for charges including “breach of duty,” followed widespread chaos and overcrowded buses, despite the government claiming to cover all lost revenue. The bus companies cited confusion over the sudden announcement and payment issues for daily-wage drivers. These actions are consistent with Bukele’s controversial, heavy-handed governance style, which has drawn international criticism.
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John Q. Hosedrinker