In a troubling report from Human Rights Watch, over 200 Venezuelan nationals have reportedly faced enforced disappearances and arbitrary detention in El Salvador after being removed from the United States. On March 15, 2025, 238 Venezuelans were deported to the notorious mega prison, Centro de Confinamiento del Terrorismo (CECOT), without any clear communication about their fate to their families or the legal grounds for their detention.
Since their transfer, the detained individuals have been held incommunicado, leaving their families desperate for information. While some names were leaked through a CBS News report, U.S. and Salvadoran authorities have yet to confirm the identities or provide any updates on their situation. Juanita Goebertus, Americas director at Human Rights Watch, emphasised the severe nature of these enforced disappearances, stating they are a grave violation of international human rights law.
Human Rights Watch has reached out to the Salvadoran government for clarity about the detainees, but has received no response. Many families were initially misled, being told their relatives would be sent back to Venezuela rather than El Salvador. As of March 20, an internal government list of those deported to El Salvador has only stirred more fears, as both governments have refrained from confirming its validity.
The lack of transparency and communication has exacerbated the anxieties of families, unfamiliar with El Salvador’s legal system, making it nearly impossible for them to locate their relatives. A Salvadoran lawyer has been denied access to his clients, reflecting the ongoing injustices surrounding these enforced disappearances. Without a clear account of the legal basis for detaining these individuals, their imprisonment appears to be arbitrary, undermining El Salvador’s obligations under international law.
The situation underscores an urgent need for U.S. and Salvadoran officials to provide clarity and accountability. Goebertus has called for immediate disclosure of all detainees’ information, insisting that no one should be left in the dark regarding the whereabouts of their loved ones.
More than 200 Venezuelan nationals have been subjected to enforced disappearances and arbitrary detention in El Salvador after being deported from the U.S. Reports indicate these individuals are held in CECOT without any disclosed legal justification. Families are struggling to obtain information, and Human Rights Watch has urged both governments to provide clarity regarding the detainees’ whereabouts and detention conditions.
The enforced disappearances of Venezuelan nationals highlight a concerning human rights crisis involving both U.S. and Salvadoran authorities. The lack of clear communication, legal justification, and access to detained individuals paints a grim picture of possible ongoing abuses. Immediate action is necessary to ensure transparency and uphold the rights of those affected.
Original Source: www.hrw.org
