Families can now file complaints for detainee release
Families of Venezuelan deportees detained in El Salvador's Cecot prison can now file complaints with the government for their release. But it remains unclear if this process will have any results, as El Salvador has faced accusations of arbitrary detention from human rights groups and the US State Department. Andrés Guzmán, head of El Salvador’s Human Rights and Freedom of Expression Commission, confirmed that families who believe their relatives are held unjustly can bring their concerns to his office. Recently, 238 Venezuelans were deported from the United States to El Salvador, with accusations of gang ties leading to their detention in the notoriously overcrowded mega-prison. Many relatives of the deportees claim their loved ones have been wrongfully accused and demand proof of the allegations. Both the Venezuelan government and the families argue that the US and El Salvador have not presented any evidence to support the charges against the deportees. The Cecot prison has been criticized for its harsh conditions and alleged mistreatment of inmates. President Nayib Bukele has stated that the detainees may serve a year or longer in prison. Meanwhile, Guzmán's office, which has no power to make decisions, simply forwards information to the authorities. Experts doubt that this process will help the detainees, as Guzmán is seen as more loyal to Bukele's government than to the families. This situation stems from a controversial agreement between the US and El Salvador, where Bukele promised to house US deportees in exchange for funding to support the country's prison system. The US has also expressed concern over human rights violations during El Salvador's ongoing state of emergency, which allows extensive detentions without charge. Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro has urged Bukele to return Venezuelan citizens. Meanwhile, Venezuela announced an agreement with the US for the repatriation of Venezuelans held in the US, with a flight planned for this weekend. Venezuelans in Caracas have protested, demanding the return of their family members and rejecting the accusations against them. The Salvadoran government maintains that the rights of all detainees, including foreigners, are respected equally. However, dissatisfaction and tensions between the US and Venezuela continue to rise.