Venezuela Opens Investigation Into Bukele Over Migrant Abuse Allegations

Venezuela has launched a formal criminal investigation into El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele and two senior officials over allegations of torture and inhumane treatment of 252 Venezuelan migrants detained in El Salvador’s CECOT prison after being deported by the United States. Venezuelan Attorney General Tarek William Saab accused Bukele and his officials of ordering systematic abuses including beatings, sexual abuse, denial of medical care, deprivation of sunlight, and being fed rotten food. The detainees were deported under the Trump administration's invocation of the Alien Enemies Act, accused of gang ties, which their families and lawyers deny. Venezuela’s probe follows the migrants’ repatriation to Caracas as part of a prisoner exchange involving ten U.S. citizens held in Venezuela. Bukele has dismissed the allegations, stating that Venezuela only complains after losing leverage by releasing hostages. The investigation calls for international attention from the ICC and the UN Human Rights Council to act on the reported violations.