Venezuela to probe alleged mistreatment of deported migrants in El Salvador: Report

By Zehra Nur Celik

ANKARA (AA) – Venezuela has announced the launch of an investigation into several El Salvador officials, including President Nayib Bukele, over claims that Venezuelan migrants deported from the US were abused while detained in the country, according to US local media.

Venezuelan Attorney General Tarek William Saab addressed the allegations during a press conference on Monday, where he presented edited video footage featuring detainees recounting their experiences in custody, CNN reported.

Authorities have received 123 complaints detailing abuse, including accusations of sexual assault, torture, and physical violence reportedly carried out by Salvadoran prison guards, CNN cited Saab as saying.

One video features a detainee alleging sexual abuse, while others show inmates with visible bruises and scars, claiming they were beaten, shot with rubber pellets, and sprayed with pepper spray.

The US and Venezuela on Friday completed a prisoner swap, with 10 Americans freed in exchange for over 200 Venezuelans held in a prison in El Salvador.

CNN reported that around 250 Venezuelans transferred to a high-security prison in El Salvador were returned to Venezuela in exchange for Americans who the US claims were "wrongfully detained."