Trump deportees tell of abuse in secretive mega-jail

 

Arturo Suárez recounts the harrowing experience he faced upon arriving at El Salvador’s Cecot prison. Greeted with brutality, he claims guards beat him until he lost consciousness. When he awoke, he was met with a chilling message from the jail’s director, Belarmino García: "Welcome to hell. Welcome to the cemetery of living men."

 

Cecot, the Center for the Confinement of Terrorism, is notorious for housing El Salvador’s most dangerous offenders. Built to tackle the nation’s rampant gang violence under President Nayib Bukele’s administration, the realities inside have remained largely concealed since its 2023 opening.

 

Recently, the release of 251 Venezuelan inmates has shed light on the grim conditions within Cecot. Their testimonies, shared after their return to Venezuela, offer a glimpse into life behind its walls. Deported after a deal between the US and El Salvador, these individuals describe the brutal treatment they endured.

 

After arriving back home, eight of the former inmates spoke with BBC News Mundo. They described regular beatings, lack of legal representation, and deprivation of basic necessities. One individual recounted being sexually abused, while others mentioned sleeping on bare metal bunks and having to eat with their hands.

 

These men were initially residing in the United States, some legally, others undocumented. Accused of gang affiliations, they vehemently deny any criminal connections, believing their tattoos led to wrongful assumptions of ties to the Tren de Aragua, a violent gang originating in Venezuela.

 

Despite US assurances of careful vetting, questions remain about the evidence used against them. These men were shackled and flown to El Salvador without any knowledge of where they were being taken.

 

Upon arriving at Cecot, they were subjected to humiliating rituals. Forced to kneel and have their heads shaved, they donned prison-issued clothing. Mervin Yamarte, who once worked at a tortilla factory in Texas, described being beaten while naked, stating, "They wouldn't let me put on my clothes."

 

The BBC sought responses from the Salvadoran government regarding these allegations, but officials have yet to respond.

These accounts highlight significant human rights concerns and raise questions about the treatment of deportees and prison conditions in El Salvador. As stories of abuse and neglect emerge, the focus intensifies on how prisoners, particularly those deported from abroad, are treated within such facilities.

 

The exposed conditions at Cecot have brought renewed attention to President Bukele's controversial approach to crime and punishment. While intended to curtail violence, critics argue that such harsh measures violate human rights and fail to address the root causes of crime in El Salvador.

 

As these released inmates adjust to life in Venezuela, the impact of their time at Cecot remains with them. They hope sharing their experiences will bring about change and highlight the need for reform in how deportees and prisoners are treated.

 

Their stories cast a spotlight on the complexities and consequences of international deportation agreements, showing that the pursuit of security should not come at the cost of human rights. As global scrutiny increases, the calls for transparency and accountability in El Salvador's detention practices grow louder, urging reforms that ensure humane treatment and justice for all.

 

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The BBC 2025-08-18

 

 

Disgusting. A sh*th*le country. 

2 hours ago, CharlieH said:

Recently, the release of 251 Venezuelan inmates has shed light on the grim conditions within Cecot. Their testimonies, shared after their return to Venezuela, offer a glimpse into life behind its walls. Deported after a deal between the US and El Salvador, these individuals describe the brutal treatment they endured.

Good that they are broadcasting the effectiveness of the deportation program to instill fear in those who have any plans on breaking into the United States.

Maybe If all these central/South American countries got their s@#t together, their citizens wouldn't want to go to the US...I think the blame lies on their own doorstep

11 minutes ago, baansgr said:

Maybe If all these central/South American countries got their s@#t together, their citizens wouldn't want to go to the US...I think the blame lies on their own doorstep

Perhaps US meddling in South America has some part in the problems down there.

“I was following orders” 

 

Will not be a defense when the reckoning comes.

Costa Rica is building a similar facility also.

 

SAN JOSE, Aug 13 (Reuters) - Costa Rica will begin construction this year on a new maximum-security prison inspired by the El Salvador mega-prison at the center of that country's crackdown on crime, Costa Rica's Justice Minister Gerald Campos said on Wednesday.

 

Costa Rica, long considered to be the safest nation in Central America, is grappling with a wave of homicides that have been attributed to drug gang violence. In 2023, it registered its highest-ever homicide rate, and opinion polls rank insecurity as the public's top concern, positioning the issue as a central theme for national elections coming in 2026.

 

 

https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/costa-rica-start-building-massive-el-salvador-inspired-prison-2025-08-14/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

 these individuals describe the brutal treatment they endured:

 

Is the brutal treatment worse than what the gang members commit upon innocent victims during their criminal activities?   They appear to enjoy beating, abusing, or killing their targeted victims, whether for entertainment or profit.

Gang members enjoy the beautiful mountains view for free. 

11 hours ago, OneManShow said:

Gang members enjoy the beautiful mountains view for free. 

 

and the air is less polluted out there too. they breathe cleaner air than straight folks. 

 

Be a hell of a lot worse if they hadn't meddled down there

34 minutes ago, OneManShow said:

Gang members enjoy the beautiful mountains view for free. 

 Has it occurred to you that Trump is not deporting actual convicted gang members who are right now locked up in Federal (for profit) Prisons?

 

Maybe the why not ha something to do with the ‘for profit’ bit.

 

You might also what to consider that once the highly profitable new industry that is ICE and detention vebters has run out of immigrants, the ‘for profit’ motive will demand a fresh supply of detainees.

 

Who might that be I wonder?

5 hours ago, CharlieH said:

They hope sharing their experiences will bring about change and highlight the need for reform in how deportees and prisoners are treated.

 

 

all it does is highlight why you shouldn't break immigration laws.

37 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

 Has it occurred to you that Trump is not deporting actual convicted gang members who are right now locked up in Federal (for profit) Prisons?

 

Maybe the why not ha something to do with the ‘for profit’ bit.

 

You might also what to consider that once the highly profitable new industry that is ICE and detention vebters has run out of immigrants, the ‘for profit’ motive will demand a fresh supply of detainees.

 

Who might that be I wonder?

Enlighten us to who it will be

1 hour ago, Zimar said:

 these individuals describe the brutal treatment they endured:

 

Is the brutal treatment worse than what the gang members commit upon innocent victims during their criminal activities?   They appear to enjoy beating, abusing, or killing their targeted victims, whether for entertainment or profit.

 

These Hispanic people are at the heart of the American gang problem. Is anyone surprised when their reason asylum is often fleeing gang violence? Zero pity from me.

 

https://nationalgangcenter.ojp.gov/survey-analysis/demographics

 

5 minutes ago, baansgr said:

Enlighten us to who it will be

Anyone who the Government decides they want to get rid of.

2 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Perhaps US meddling in South America has some part in the problems down there.

 

The US government is constantly meddling in other countries affairs but the common man has zero influence over them so it's entirely unjust they face blowback. I'm not alone in thinking this, I want the US to keep within its borders and I want the same thing for these South America immigrants. Everyone stay in their corner and mind their own business is the best policy now.

Saw the headline and thought it was just another article knocking Pattaya.

Cemetary of Living Men?

I had thought you meant the Cage Men of Hong Kong.

They, of course, choose to live in cages.

 

 

 

Still....Thank God for Chinese tea....maybe....

 

This is the glorious view from Hong Kong....among....

The cemetery of living men.

 

It's a life.....

 

 

And, such a cosy life it is....!!!

 

It's wonderful to be free.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4 minutes ago, GammaGlobulin said:

Cemetary of Living Men?

I had thought you meant the Cage Men of Hong Kong.

They, of course, choose to live in cages.

 

 

 

Still....Thank God for Chinese tea....maybe....

 

This is the glorious view from Hong Kong....among....

The cemetery of living men.

 

It's a life.....

 

 

And, such a cosy life it is....!!!

 

It's wonderful to be free.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For an obviously intelligent person, you write some stupid stuff at times (this being one of them).

2 hours ago, novacova said:

Good that they are broadcasting the effectiveness of the deportation program to instill fear in those who have any plans on breaking into the United States.

They should build more of these facilities for U.S. illegal aliens in countries like North Korea. Deport them to the NK, they will think twice about invading a sovereign nation such as the United States. 

1 hour ago, Chomper Higgot said:

 Has it occurred to you that Trump is not deporting actual convicted gang members who are right now locked up in Federal (for profit) Prisons?

 

Maybe the why not ha something to do with the ‘for profit’ bit.

 

You might also what to consider that once the highly profitable new industry that is ICE and detention vebters has run out of immigrants, the ‘for profit’ motive will demand a fresh supply of detainees.

 

Who might that be I wonder?

Don't know, don't care

1 hour ago, couchpotato said:

For an obviously intelligent person, you write some stupid stuff at times (this being one of them).

 

I can only presume that you are referring to "choice", and those choosing to live in cages, no matter how free they may be.

 

Of course, I agree with you.

Living in cages is not a choice that most men would make.

And, who is to say or identify the causes for cage-living, among men.

One cannot generalize about this, since the causes for each Living Cemetery Man is probably different from those that affect the next man.

 

If we are to improve our world, and if we are to avoid obvious calamities which are clearly on the horizon, then we must address and remedy the causes that impact men, those causes which preclude otherwise-good men from living a humane life, and from contributing in a positive way to society, and the world.

 

Of course, when we look at aggression, from the perspective of it being a possible trait governed partially by heredity, and if this is the case...

Then, what is the solution?

 

Separation from Society?

Rehabilitation does not work, if the seed is bad.

 

All men are born somewhere on a continuum.

One solution would be to stamp out poverty.

When children do not grow up in poverty, the outcomes for society are far better.

 

We will ALWAYS require cages.

Nobody, but Nobody, should decide to be pollyannaish about this basic Truth.

 

I have amassed a great deal of wisdom through my advanced years and exposure to diverse cultures.

We can pray for miracles, but we should not expect them.

Men will always live in cages.

And some cages are cages of the mind we build for ourselves.

 

 

 

8 hours ago, CharlieH said:

........and having to eat with their hands

They were punished if they ate with their feet?

Immigrants built America, some enslaved, all to enrich the robber barons. Now the Bills have AI, they don't need the slave labor anymore. But the common man, where can he live, what's there to eat?

11 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Perhaps US meddling in South America has some part in the problems down there.

I believe that the countries in South and Central America have not been heavily meddled with by the US, except in their efforts to control the flow of cocaine and the influences of communism.  They failed when Hugo Chávez was elected president in Venezuela in 1999.  

2 hours ago, AgMech Cowboy said:

I believe that the countries in South and Central America have not been heavily meddled with by the US, except in their efforts to control the flow of cocaine and the influences of communism.  They failed when Hugo Chávez was elected president in Venezuela in 1999.  

Yes, we were heavily involved in monitoring drugs during my tour of duty in Panama 1981-84.  I worked the NARC (a type of message relay) and the U.S. Southern Command communications center at Quarry Heights.  Noriega's drug dealing led to the 20 December 1989, invasion.  Our facility always receiving and sending messages but we shift supervisors would read the daily reports on Noriega's whereabouts, which mistress he was with, who he was fishing with, etc.  We saw the back channel Contras messages from/to Lt. Col. Oliver North, Admiral Moreau, Admiral Poindexter, Henry Kissinger as a contractor, and others.  Next door in Honduras we were preparing for the invasion of Nicaragua.  I still have dreams of those days.  The Falklands War kept us very busy.  Messages to Whitehall dealing with logistics support, intelligence efforts, and much more.

Latinos might want to stick with cartoon tattoos.  

16 hours ago, PETERTHEEATER said:

They were punished if they ate with their feet?

Utensils like forks and spoons are easily sharpened into lethal weapons.

13 hours ago, unblocktheplanet said:

Immigrants built America, some enslaved, all to enrich the robber barons. Now the Bills have AI, they don't need the slave labor anymore. But the common man, where can he live, what's there to eat?

When the planetary pop soars past 8 billion, it should not be surprising to see less and less concern with the plight of the average earthling. Like those experiments with rats in a confined space. 

 

I've lived outside my country of birth over half my life. None of the places I've studied or worked at allowed me to freely cross their border, take up residence and go on the dole, as the nutty Euros and Gringos have done in the new Millennium. Yes, criminal "oil wars" are largely to blame, particularly when floods of Syrians, Afghanis and Venezuelans head across borders - but consider that to get to the Rio Grande or a luxury liner sailing across the Mediterranean (switch off sarcasm) you pay $5,000 > $15,000 per head. So much for the "starving waif" image.

 

Many of the single military-age men waltzing into the Netherlands, Sweden and Germany were wearing expensive clothes and carrying iPhones.

 

Countries enforcing border control (China ... Hungary ... Russia) look at this phenomenon as absolute insanity.