Venezuelan Attorney General Tarek William Saab announced on Monday, 2024-MM-DD, the launch of an investigation into El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele, Justice Minister Gustavo Villatoro, and Head of Prisons Osiris Luna Meza, for their alleged roles in the torture of 252 Venezuelan migrants. The migrants, deported from the US in March 2024 under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, reported beatings, sexual abuse, denial of medical care, and inhumane conditions while imprisoned in El Salvador. Their testimonies, along with photos of injuries, were presented as evidence. The Venezuelan government facilitated the migrants' release in exchange for 10 US citizens and political prisoners held in Venezuela.

Several former detainees, including 32-year-old Andry Hernandez Romero, gave statements detailing the alleged abuses. Romero, a beautician, described the ordeal as involving "torture, physical aggressions, psychological aggressions," and sexual abuse. Others corroborated accounts of inhumane cell conditions, lack of access to legal counsel, and the withholding of essential resources. The migrants arrived in Caracas on Friday, 2024-MM-DD, following their release.

President Bukele responded on social media, stating that the Maduro regime's outrage stemmed from the loss of hostages from the US, not a disagreement with the prisoner exchange. President Nicolas Maduro alleged that Bukele attempted to prevent the migrants' departure. Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado described the process as an "exchange of prisoners of war." The investigation also involves the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the UN Human Rights Council.

Impact Statement: This investigation could significantly strain relations between Venezuela and El Salvador, potentially leading to international legal proceedings and further scrutiny of human rights practices in both countries.