Legal Battle Over Venezuelans' Detention in El Salvador: A Human Rights Debate

A law firm has filed a habeas corpus lawsuit in El Salvador's Supreme Court to challenge the detention of 30 Venezuelan citizens in a controversial mega-prison after being deported there by the U.S. The case raises concerns about their treatment and the legality of the detention agreement.

A prominent law firm on Monday filed a habeas corpus lawsuit with El Salvador's Supreme Court, advocating for the release of 30 Venezuelan detainees held in the country's notorious mega-prison. These individuals were deported to El Salvador by the United States under allegations of affiliation with the Tren de Aragua gang.

President Nayib Bukele's administration, known for its alignment with the judiciary, has entered into a financial arrangement with the United States, accepting $6 million to house these prisoners. Lawyer Jaime Ortega emphasized the urgent need for their release or organized repatriation, citing immigration law requirements in his statement to the press.

The deportation, initially carried out under a contentious U.S. wartime law treating them as 'alien enemies,' faced legal hurdles, yet the group was still detained in El Salvador. Questions about their gang involvement remain, with U.S. Judge James Boasberg ordering a reassessment of their status amid reports of inadequate prison conditions and human rights abuses.

(With inputs from agencies.)