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The Trump administration has deported 238 Venezuelans to El Salvador’s “Terrorism Confinement Center” (Cecot), a facility criticized by human rights groups for severe overcrowding and inadequate food. Despite a judge's temporary block on the move, the US proceeded, raising concerns about the treatment and legal rights of these individuals.
Recently, the Trump administration and El Salvador's president announced an agreement allowing the US to send both detained migrants and imprisoned citizens to the mega-prison in El Salvador. President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador is known for his hardline stance on crime, especially gang-related activities. In 2023, he opened the Terrorism Confinement Center, or Cecot.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called El Salvador's offer to incarcerate US citizens “an extraordinary gesture never before extended by any country.” But the legality of this arrangement is still under review, according to Rubio. "Obviously, we’ll have to study it on our end. There are legalities involved. We have a Constitution, and we have all sorts of things," he added.
In this gallery, we take you on a journey inside El Salvador’s mega-prison. Click on for more.
The Terrorism Confinement Center is located in the town of Tecoluca, about 45 miles (72 km) east of the capital San Salvador.
CECOT is divided into eight pavilions, and has a total capacity of 40,000 inmates.
Prisoners are placed in large cells with other inmates. Each cell holds 65 to 70 prisoners.
This is no ordinary prison. Inmates don’t have access to any type of rehabilitation programs (i.e. no educational programs or anything that might help them integrate society).
The only exceptions are motivational talks from other prisoners. Inmates sit in rows in the corridor and listen to the talks previously approved by guards.
In addition to the talks, inmates are also instructed by the guards to exercise.
Inmates are never allowed outside, and they don’t receive visits.
In 2024, the human rights organization Cristosal said that at least 261 people have died in El Salvador prisons.
The first group of 2,000 detainees was moved to CECOT on February 24, 2023.
Pictured: inmates walk under the rain as they arrive at El Salvador's Terrorist Confinement Center.
A CECOT inmate is handcuffed with a plastic cable tie.
Pictured: inmates belonging to the MS-13 and 18th Street gangs arrive in CECOT. Guards wear masks to protect their identity.
A prison officer monitors the security cameras at Latin America's biggest prison.
Inmates wait as 2,000 detainees are moved to El Salvador's mega-prison.
El Salvador has one of highest crime rates in Latin America.
CECOT's cells are basic and are shared by dozens of inmates.
Pictured: the helmets of prison security officers at the Terrorism Confinement Center.
Detainees line up close together as they move inside the prison.
El Salvador's mega-prison has a large capacity—enough to receive US prisoners if needed.
Prison officers stand on a pavilion inside El Salvador's mega-prison.
Officers in riot gear stand patrol by the cells at CECOT.
This handout from the press secretary of the presidency of El Salvador shows the arrival of gang members to the new prison.
A prison officer stands at the gate inside CECOT.
Prison guards stand outside the cells at the Terrorism Confinement Center.
A bird's-eye view of inmates moving through El Salvador's Terrorism Confinement Center.
Thousands of gang members are imprisoned in the "largest prison in the Americas."
Inmates move through the prison under the supervision of guards.
These are the cells US criminals may end up being incarcerated in.
Sources: (Associated Press) (NPR) (BBC)
US deportees endure harsh conditions in El Salvador's mega-prison
Human rights concerns are mounting as Venezuelans are sent to Cecot prison by the US
LIFESTYLE Terrorism confinement center
The Trump administration has deported 238 Venezuelans to El Salvador’s “Terrorism Confinement Center” (Cecot), a facility criticized by human rights groups for severe overcrowding and inadequate food. Despite a judge's temporary block on the move, the US proceeded, raising concerns about the treatment and legal rights of these individuals.
Recently, the Trump administration and El Salvador's president announced an agreement allowing the US to send both detained migrants and imprisoned citizens to the mega-prison in El Salvador. President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador is known for his hardline stance on crime, especially gang-related activities. In 2023, he opened the Terrorism Confinement Center, or Cecot.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called El Salvador's offer to incarcerate US citizens “an extraordinary gesture never before extended by any country.” But the legality of this arrangement is still under review, according to Rubio. "Obviously, we’ll have to study it on our end. There are legalities involved. We have a Constitution, and we have all sorts of things," he added.
In this gallery, we take you on a journey inside El Salvador’s mega-prison. Click on for more.