Deported Venezuelans believed held at El Salvador mega-prison

13/5/2025 19:22

The United Nations has information that over 100 Venezuelans deported from the United States are being held at a high-security centre in El Salvador,

where they face potential human rights violations, the U.N. human rights chief said on Tuesday



The fate and whereabouts of at least another 245 Venezuelans and some 30 Salvadorans sent to El Salvador during U.S. President Donald Trump's deportation drive remain unclear, the U.N. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) added.



The governments of the United States and El Salvador did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment.



Trump has invoked the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to swiftly deport suspected members of criminal gangs, including Venezuela's Tren de Aragua, that his administration labels terrorist groups.



At least 142,000 people were deported from the U.S. between January 20 and April 29, according to OHCHR, citing official U.S. data.