Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident mistakenly deported in March under a Trump-era policy, claims he was beaten, deprived of sleep, starved, and forced to kneel in El Salvador’s maximum-security CECOT prison, while President Nayib Bukele insists he “looks so well” and denies any abuse.
At a Glance
- Kilmar Abrego Garcia says he endured beatings, torture, sleep deprivation, and extreme hunger in CECOT prison for weeks.
- Bukele posted images and video to refute the allegations, asking, “why does he look so well?”
- U.S. courts have issued conflicting directives: Supreme Court ordering repatriation; Tennessee judge delaying release over deportation risk.
- Abrego Garcia’s lawyers say he lost over 30 pounds and faced severe psychological trauma.
- Human rights groups document hundreds of deaths and abuses in Salvadoran prisons under Bukele’s gang crackdown.
Torture Allegations and Bukele’s Rebuke
According to court filings, Abrego Garcia was subjected to brutal treatment at the CECOT prison, including being forced to kneel for hours, deprived of food and sleep, and physically assaulted. His attorneys claim he lost 31 pounds in under two weeks and was denied basic hygiene and medical care.
President Bukele responded with images and video clips portraying Abrego Garcia smiling, gardening, and playing soccer, using the footage to dismiss the abuse claims as fabricated, asking rhetorically, “Why does he look so well?”
Watch a report: Kilmar Abrego Garcia says he was beaten in El Salvador jail
Judicial Crossfire and Human Rights Pressure
The case has drawn intense legal scrutiny. While the U.S. Supreme Court ordered the government to repatriate Abrego Garcia, a Tennessee judge delayed his release, citing fears of a repeat deportation before his immigration hearing. His attorneys argue this case exposes flaws in Trump-era deportation policies and challenges the legality of using foreign prisons to detain U.S. residents under the Alien Enemies Act.
CECOT Under Global Scrutiny
Built in 2022 as part of Bukele’s gang crackdown, CECOT has become notorious for mass incarceration and alleged human rights violations. Groups including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have accused the prison system of systemic torture, overcrowding, and deaths in custody.
Testimonies include forced kneeling, denial of food and medical care, and beatings. The case of Abrego Garcia has intensified scrutiny, placing U.S. deportation procedures and international detention accountability under a harsh spotlight.
