Venezuelan migrants sent to El Salvador demand justice after US judge ruling

Venezuelan Migrants Demand Justice After U.S. Court Ruling on Deportation Case

Venezuelan migrants who were transferred to a prison in El Salvador earlier this year by the U.S. government are now demanding justice following a significant federal court ruling in Washington that ordered the Trump administration to provide them with legal due process.

At a press conference in Caracas on Friday, approximately two dozen of the 252 men affected by the case spoke publicly about their experiences and called for accountability. The event was organized by Venezuela’s government, which has previously stated it secured legal representation for the migrants.

“Today, we are here to demand justice before the world for the human rights violations committed against each of us, and to ask for help from international organizations to assist us in our defense so that our human rights are respected and not violated again,” said Andry Blanco, one of the migrants present at the gathering.

Monday’s ruling by a federal judge in Washington represents a major legal victory for the men, requiring the U.S. government to either provide court hearings or return them to the United States. The decision creates a pathway for the migrants to challenge the Trump administration’s allegations that they are members of the notorious Tren de Aragua gang—claims that were used to justify their removal under an 18th-century wartime law.

The men have consistently maintained they were subjected to physical and psychological torture during their detention in El Salvador’s high-security prison, known for its harsh conditions and human rights concerns. During Friday’s press conference, several shared details about the ongoing trauma they experience, including fear of leaving their homes or encountering law enforcement officials.

Not all of the migrants expressed interest in returning to the United States, however. “I don’t trust them,” said Nolberto Aguilar, referring to the U.S. government.

The case has drawn significant attention to U.S. immigration policies and treatment of migrants. The men were initially flown to El Salvador in March as part of the Trump administration’s aggressive approach to immigration enforcement. They were subsequently returned to Venezuela in July through a prisoner exchange agreement negotiated between the Trump administration and President Nicolás Maduro’s government.

The Venezuelan government appears to be leveraging the case for diplomatic purposes. Camilla Fabri, Venezuela’s vice minister of foreign affairs for international communications, announced that Maduro’s administration is collaborating with a U.S. bar association and human rights organizations to prepare a “major lawsuit against Trump and the United States government” to seek acknowledgment of “all the crimes they have committed” against the migrants.

This case highlights ongoing tensions between the United States and Venezuela, with diplomatic relations having deteriorated significantly in recent years. It also underscores broader concerns about U.S. immigration enforcement tactics and due process protections for migrants.

Human rights organizations have been monitoring the situation closely, particularly regarding allegations of mistreatment during detention. The controversy comes amid heightened political sensitivity surrounding immigration issues in the United States, especially during an election year when border security and immigration policy remain divisive topics.

As legal proceedings continue, the affected migrants face an uncertain future while dealing with the psychological aftermath of their experiences. Their case raises important questions about international law, diplomatic relations, and the treatment of migrants in detention facilities worldwide.