UPDATE: Venezuelan migrants, recently transferred to a Salvadoran prison, are urgently demanding justice following a pivotal ruling by a U.S. federal judge. On Monday, the judge mandated that the Trump administration must provide legal due process to 252 Venezuelan men, offering them either court hearings or the option to return to the United States. This groundbreaking decision, announced just days ago, opens a crucial path for these men to contest allegations linking them to the notorious Tren de Aragua gang.
During a press conference in Caracas on Friday, the men recounted harrowing experiences of physical and psychological torture in the infamous Salvadoran prison. “We are here to demand justice before the world for the human rights violations committed against each of us,” stated Andry Blanco, one of the migrants. They are calling for international support to ensure their rights are upheld.
The ruling from the federal judge underscores a significant shift in the treatment of these migrants, who were flown to El Salvador in March 2023 as part of a prisoner swap orchestrated by the Trump administration. They were subsequently sent back to their home country in July 2023, but not before enduring alleged brutal abuses during their detention.
Some men expressed deep mistrust toward the U.S. government, with Nolberto Aguilar stating, “I don’t trust them,” highlighting the fear that pervades their daily lives as a result of their traumatic experiences. Many of the migrants shared personal accounts of the challenges they now face, including anxiety about encountering law enforcement or leaving their homes.
The Venezuelan government, under President Nicolás Maduro, is actively pursuing legal recourse on behalf of the migrants. Camilla Fabri, Venezuela’s vice minister of foreign affairs for international communications, revealed that the government is collaborating with U.S. legal organizations and human rights groups to prepare a significant lawsuit against Trump and the U.S. government.
The urgency of this situation cannot be understated, as the migrants seek justice for the crimes they allege were committed against them. Their plight has garnered international attention, prompting calls for intervention from various human rights organizations.
As this story continues to develop, observers are urged to monitor the situation closely. The next steps could potentially reshape the legal landscape for these migrants and impact U.S.-Venezuelan relations going forward.
