The Venezuela prosecution announced on Monday July 21, the opening of an investigation into the allegations of torture inflicted on its nationals, expelled by the United States, in high security prison in Salvador. After months of incarceration, these 252 Venezuelans were repatriated Friday as part of an exchange of prisoners between Washington and Caracas.
“We decided to open an official investigation”said Venezuela Attorney General Tarek William Saab during a press conference, directly criticizing the president of Salvador, Nayib Bukele. “I call the International Criminal Court, the UN Human Rights Council, the corresponding organizations both in America and around the world to do the same, to do their part”added the prosecutor.
The 252 repatriated Venezuelans were accused of belonging to the Tren of Aragua, a criminal gang that the Trump administration described as a terrorist organization. Invoking a law of 1798 on enemies from abroad rarely used, the United States had expelled them without trial to Salvador.
Accusations of sexual assault
According to Mr. Saab, 80 public officials interviewed migrants on their return to the country. These testimonies have revealed denunciations for sexual violence, daily tobacco passages, the use of rubber bullets and spoiled food. “They have formulated serious accusations of massive violations of their human rights suffered at the Center for Terrorism Confainment [Cecot] »Built by Mr. Bukele to fight against the gangs, underlined the prosecutor.
Andry Hernandez Romero, a 32 -year -old hairdresser and make -up artist, who found himself in the CECOT, said in one of these videos that he had sexual violence. “We have undergone torture, physical and psychological assaults”he said, before adding: “I was sexually abused by the Salvadoral authorities themselves (…) We thought we would never see our loved ones again. »»
The Venezuelan prosecutor also mentioned “Isolation in inhuman cells (…) without contact with sunlight, without ventilation “ et “Systematic attacks” With rubber bullets. Avaried food and non -potable water were served to prisoners, who at no time could speak to a lawyer or a family member.
Venezuela is the subject of an investigation for crimes against humanity by the international criminal court. The opposition to the Maduro government regularly denounces tortures in Venezuelan prisons and the ban for prisoners to use a lawyer of their choice.
Repatriated migrants are the subject of medical examinations and have not yet found their families.
