The notorious Centro de Confinamiento del Terrorismo, or CECOT, a maximum-security prison in El Salvador, has garnered significant attention lately. This prison, infamous for its stringent conditions, has become the unlikely destination for over 250 suspected gang members deported from the United States. The Trump administration struck a deal with the Salvadoran government, reportedly worth $6 million, to house these inmates in CECOT, which has the capacity to hold up to 40,000 prisoners.
According to reports, 238 members of the Tren de Aragua gang and 23 suspected members of the MS-13 gang will be held in CECOT for at least a year. This transfer has raised constitutional questions in the United States, as federal agencies usually abide by federal court rulings. However, the Trump administration has chosen to disregard a federal court decision that ordered the suspension of the Alien Enemies Act, a law dating back to the 18th century.
CECOT, a facility designed to house the most dangerous criminals in El Salvador, is notorious for its harsh environment. The prison’s cells are designed to hold around 80 inmates, who are locked up for 23.5 hours a day. The cells are equipped with only metal bunk beds, and inmates have access to a concrete sink, a plastic bucket for washing, and a large jug for drinking water.
The conditions in CECOT are extremely austere, with the lights on 24 hours a day to prevent inmates from planning escapes. All inmates are required to shave their heads and wear white uniforms. The meals are meager, consisting mainly of beans and pasta, with no meat options.
Despite criticism from human rights groups, President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador remains highly popular, with approval ratings above 90%. The president has proposed housing deported inmates from the United States in CECOT as part of an unprecedented deal, with the US paying $6 million in exchange. This funding will support the operation of El Salvador’s prison system, which currently costs $200 million annually.
The CECOT prison has been at the center of controversy, with many questioning the fairness of the detention conditions. Inmates are reportedly denied the possibility of release, with some facing sentences of hundreds of years. The facility is also used to detain individuals who have not been convicted of a crime, with some being held without due process.
The situation in El Salvador raises concerns about the state of civil liberties and freedom. Since the declaration of a state of emergency in 2022, the government has arrested nearly 87,000 people, approximately 1% of the country’s population. While the government claims that these measures have improved security, critics argue that they have led to widespread human rights abuses and arbitrary detentions.
President Bukele has acknowledged that some innocent people have been mistakenly arrested, but he maintains that the stringent measures are necessary to transform the country from one of the most violent in the world to one of the safest. The use of CECOT as a destination for deported inmates has sparked debate about the ethics of international cooperation on law enforcement and the treatment of prisoners.
