"The aftermath is still visible almost four months after 252 Venezuelan migrants survived the worst of the nightmare. U.S. immigration authorities detained them at different times, in various cities, and under different circumstances raids, arrests at their homes, and while crossing the border and on March 15 of this year, President Donald Trump decided to send them to the feared prison in El Salvador, invoking the Alien Enemies Act and accusing them of being members of the Tren de Aragua criminal organization."
"They experienced horror, including daily beatings. Following an agreement between governments mediated by the Catholic Church, on July 18 they were finally sent back to Venezuela, a country some of them had left long before, in some cases fleeing political persecution. In exchange for the Venezuelans, the government of Nicolas Maduro handed over 10 imprisoned Americans to Washington."
Photos show Luis missing a front tooth and Daniel's nose with a visibly deviated septum, and images document scars on Mateo's hand and Carlos's chest from rubber bullets fired at close range. Venezuelans were detained by U.S. immigration authorities in various cities and circumstances and on March 15 were sent to El Salvador's Terrorism Confinement Center (Cecot) under the Alien Enemies Act, accused of Tren de Aragua membership. Detainees reported torture, daily beatings, and inhumane conditions. On July 18 they were returned to Venezuela after a government exchange mediated by the Catholic Church that freed ten imprisoned Americans. Human Rights Watch, with NGOs and forensic specialists, reconstructed abuses and protected interviewees' identities.
Read at english.elpais.com
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