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'We lived through hell,' say Venezuelans released from mega-prison in El Salvador

July 25, 2025

Four Venezuelan men from Los Pescadores, Maracaibo have returned home after spending four months in El Salvador's maximum-security Cecot prison following their deportation from the United States. The men—Mervin Yamarte, Edwuar Hernández Herrera, Andy Perozo, and Ringo Rincón—were released as part of a prisoner exchange agreement between the US, Venezuela, and El Salvador. They claim they were subjected to severe abuse while incarcerated, including beatings, being forced to eat with their hands, and being treated "like animals.

Who is affected

  • 252 Venezuelans who were detained in Cecot prison and released as part of the prisoner exchange
  • The four men from Los Pescadores (Mervin Yamarte, Edwuar Hernández Herrera, Andy Perozo, and Ringo Rincón) who were released and returned to Venezuela
  • The families of the released prisoners who experienced emotional distress during their loved ones' detention
  • Migrants being deported from the US under President Trump's increased deportation efforts
  • US nationals who were held in Venezuela and released as part of the exchange

What action is being taken

  • Venezuela's Attorney-General Tarek William Saab is investigating President Bukele, Justice Minister Gustavo Villatoro, and Head of Prisons Osiris Luna Meza over the alleged abuses at Cecot
  • Ringo Rincón plans to lodge an official complaint about his treatment through the Venezuelan Attorney-General's office
  • The US is currently deporting migrants to El Salvador's Cecot prison under an agreement with El Salvador
  • Venezuela and El Salvador are exchanging accusations regarding prisoner treatment
  • Rights groups are criticizing Cecot over its treatment of inmates

Why it matters

  • The case highlights tensions between the US, Venezuela, and El Salvador regarding migration and prisoner treatment
  • It demonstrates the human impact of US deportation policies implemented under President Trump
  • The allegations of abuse at Cecot raise human rights concerns about the treatment of deported individuals
  • The prisoner exchange affects diplomatic relations between the countries involved
  • The situation draws attention to the controversial use of the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to deport migrants
  • The case exposes potential misidentification of migrants as gang members based on physical appearance

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC