El Salvador's 'mega-prison' sparks human rights outcry
The Catholic Archbishop of El Salvador, José Luis Escobar Alas, has appealed to the country's president, Nayib Bukele, urging him not to transform it into "a big international prison." This plea pertains to Bukele's agreement to detain citizens of El Salvador and Venezuela, who have been deported from the USA, in the largest prison in the country and the entire region.
What do you need to know?
- Archbishop José Luis Escobar Alas has urged President Nayib Bukele to stop turning the country into an "international prison."
- Deported citizens from the USA, originating from El Salvador and Venezuela, are being held in the Central Prison for Convicted Terrorists, a facility criticized by human rights organizations.
- The agreement with the USA was finalized in February, allowing the deportation of migrants regardless of their nationality.
Why is El Salvador accepting deportees from the USA?
Archbishop José Luis Escobar Alas voiced his concern during a press conference, appealing to President Bukele to reconsider the policy concerning the detention of people deported from the USA.
The Central Prison for Convicted Terrorists, constructed by Bukele's administration, has become the detention site for individuals deported from the USA. Since March 15th, three groups of migrants have been sent there, including Venezuelans and Salvadorans, totaling 288 people. The agreement was made in February during a meeting between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and President Bukele.
What are the consequences for El Salvador?
The decision to receive deported migrants has faced criticism from international human rights organizations, which label the prison as a site of "inhumane" persecution. Bukele's agreement to admit migrants regardless of their nationality is controversial, particularly in light of accusations linking them to notorious criminal organizations like Mara Salvatrucha.
During a press conference on the "mega-prison," where migrants deported from the USA are being sent by national authorities, Salvadoran Archbishop Escobar Alas stated: "It is not in the interest of any country to be a prison for other countries. We must fight for our country to be respected so we can live in peace."
