El Salvador’s President Responds to Clinton’s Claims About CECOT Prison
El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele has reacted to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s recent comments on the conditions at the country’s maximum-security prison, known as the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT). This facility currently holds migrants who have been deported from the United States.
Clinton shared a post on X, featuring an 11-minute PBS Frontline documentary titled “Surviving CECOT.” In her post, she invited viewers to learn more about the prison, highlighting the stories of three Venezuelan men—Juan José Ramos Ramos, Andry Blanco Bonilla, and Wilmer Vega Sandia—whom the U.S. government labeled as members of the Tren de Aragua gang, a claim they deny.
In response, Bukele offered to work together, stating that if the claims of torture in CECOT are true, his government would be open to releasing all inmates, including high-profile gang leaders and those considered “political prisoners,” to any country willing to take them. “The only condition is simple: it must be everyone,” he said.
Bukele went on to suggest that such action would allow journalists and non-governmental organizations to gather testimonies from former inmates, creating an opportunity for a broader discussion about human rights in El Salvador. He emphasized that the focus of his administration remains on protecting the millions of Salvadorans who now live free from gang violence.
The U.S. has been deporting Venezuelan migrants to CECOT, labeling many as gang members after their home country did not accept them back. Bukele’s approach has drawn praise from some for its tough stance on crime, but concerns about human rights violations persist.
In related news, a federal judge recently ordered the federal government to ensure due process for Venezuelan migrants deported to El Salvador, indicating ongoing legal challenges surrounding U.S. immigration policies.
