José Alfredo Vega’s parents identified his body by a childhood scar, as he was otherwise unrecognizable due to swelling. His father, Miguel Ángel Vega, recounted the night nearly three years ago when police officers took his son from their home. At 29, José Alfredo was found dead in a morgue.
President Trump’s directive to send hundreds of alleged gang members to El Salvador has sparked mixed reactions in the United States, while Salvadorans have largely remained unaware of their arrival and integration into the local penal system. In El Salvador, where mass arrests have become common, the disappearance of men into prisons is disturbingly familiar.
Since 2022, President Nayib Bukele’s government has incarcerated around 80,000 individuals under a state of emergency aimed at combating gang violence, significantly increasing the prison population. Reports indicate that many innocent people have been detained without legal recourse or contact with their families, according to relatives and rights groups.
Families have documented hundreds of deaths within El Salvador’s prisons, citing torture and mistreatment. Despite these reports, Bukele’s security measures maintain high approval ratings, with over 80 percent of Salvadorans believing they can now walk the streets safely.
Mr. Vega, who identified his son’s body this month, expressed concern about the realities behind Bukele’s security strategy. His son died from sepsis, and Mr. Vega had not heard from him since his arrest in May 2022. The Salvadoran human rights organization Cristosal has recorded 378 prison deaths since 2022, with the director stating the actual number is likely higher due to inadequate access to basic necessities.
Andrés Guzmán Caballero, the government’s human rights commissioner, denied allegations of intentional neglect or abuse in prisons, asserting low mortality rates. The American and Salvadoran governments have provided no updates on the health or conditions of migrants expelled to El Salvador, except for one reported to be in good health.
In San Salvador, street lamps adorned with the Salvadoran flag illuminate the streets at night, allowing residents to venture outdoors safely. Many Salvadorans express gratitude towards Bukele for improving public safety, despite the personal toll some have experienced.
Teresa Lemus, a street vendor, mentioned her brother was wrongly imprisoned and died in custody. Despite this, she does not blame the president, highlighting both the positive and negative impacts of his policies on the community.
Reports of detentions and harsh conditions in prisons persist, with some individuals recounting experiences of violence and poor treatment. As public support for Bukele remains high, some citizens express concerns about voicing dissent regarding the state of emergency.
Families of the imprisoned, including Mr. Vega and his wife, continue to advocate for their loved ones. They have sold possessions to provide food and supplies for prisoners, with reports indicating that only 8,000 of the incarcerated have been released since the beginning of the state of emergency.
Former inmates describe their experiences as horrific, detailing inadequate living conditions and lack of medical care. Guzmán maintains that all prisoners receive adequate food and care, despite contrasting testimonies from released individuals.
On one occasion, a man in custody indicated he had not eaten for four days, highlighting the severe conditions faced by many in the penal system.