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El Salvador Says U.S. Controls Fate of Venezuelans Transferred to Notorious Mega-Prison

HeadlineJul 09, 2025

The government of El Salvador has admitted to U.N. investigators that the Trump administration controls the fate of nearly 140 Venezuelan immigrants transferred from the U.S. to the notorious CECOT mega-prison. The finding came in a document issued in response to a U.N. inquiry that was obtained by lawyers for the Venezuelan men, indicating El Salvador says it bears no legal responsibility for the detainees. The revelations contradict claims by Trump officials and DOJ lawyers who’ve repeatedly said they do not have the jurisdiction or power to facilitate the return of dozens of immigrants who were sent to El Salvador from the U.S. without due process.

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