Overview

• Venezuelan General Prosecutor Tarek William Saab announced a formal investigation into torture and arbitrary detention of 252 migrants deported under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act.
• Investigators have documented more than 100 alleged abuses in Cecot prison, including sexual violence, daily beatings, prolonged isolation and denial of food and medical care.
• Saab has named President Nayib Bukele along with Justice Minister Héctor Villatoro and prison director Osiris Luna as subjects of the probe for torture and enforced disappearances.
• The 252 Venezuelans were repatriated on July 18 in a prisoner exchange with the United States that secured the release of 10 US detainees.
• Venezuelan authorities have urged the International Criminal Court and the UN Human Rights Council to launch independent investigations into the prison abuses.