In Santa Ana, El Salvador, the Centro Industrial prison contrasts sharply with the heavily secured Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) where Kilmar Abrego Garcia was initially held. Centro Industrial houses “trusted inmates” — those exhibiting good behavior and serving the final years of their sentences, and notably, excludes gang members. Inmates engage in agricultural and manufacturing activities while enjoying a degree of freedom. However, concerns arise regarding Abrego Garcia’s transfer from CECOT, which the U.S. Supreme Court ordered to rectify his wrongful deportation. Despite being labeled a dangerous member of MS-13, human rights advocates argue this classification is unfounded, noting Abrego’s lack of communication with family and attorneys.
Gabriela Santos, director of the Human Rights Institute in San Salvador, questions the legality of his imprisonment under President Nayib Bukele’s agreement with the Trump administration, asserting there is no basis for venue changes and lamenting the state of El Salvador’s legal environment. The “state of exception,” declared by Bukele amidst escalating gang violence, has led to controversial mass incarcerations, stripping thousands of due process and constitutional protections, with reports of severe human rights violations, including torture and malnutrition.
While public safety has reportedly improved, contributing to Bukele’s popularity, critics argue these gains come at the expense of democracy and basic human rights. They warn against justifying authoritarian measures based on popularity. Santos encapsulates the sentiment: “Popularity cannot be a blank check for him to do anything he wants,” emphasizing the need to uphold legal and ethical standards regardless of political success.
