On Thursday, Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele refuted claims that Kilmer Abrego Garcia faced abuse while in custody in El Salvador.
He pointed fingers at what he called “mainstream media” and accused the “collapse of Western judiciary” for accepting allegations as fact without any evidence.
According to Bukele, “the man was not tortured and he didn’t lose weight. Actually, the photos indicate he gained weight during his time in custody.” He mentioned on social media that “There are many videos from various days, including meetings with Senator Van Hollen, who confirmed that the man looked fine.”
He raised questions like, “If he was tortured and starved, why does he appear so well in the photos? Why is there no sign of bruising or dark circles under his eyes?”
Bukele connected the discourse to videos and images of Abrego Garcia, who made headlines earlier this year after being mistakenly deported to Central America amid President Trump’s migration policies in March.
While Bukele remarked that Abrego Garcia suffered “psychological torture” at the notorious Cecot prison, he referenced a court application from last month. According to a man who had been living in Maryland under a protection order, he experienced sleep deprivation while in custody.
Conditions in El Salvador’s prisons are notoriously poor, known for overcrowding, lack of mattresses, and shared toilets among numerous inmates. Lighting conditions are described as unattended at all times. “Despite the warm, humid climate, there are no windows, fans, or air conditioning,” according to court declarations.
Abrego Garcia himself indicated that upon arrival, he “kicked the legs with his boots” and hit his head and arms to change clothes more quickly, while his head was shaved with a dull razor.
Following Abrego Garcia’s return to the US by the Trump administration, Bukele’s comments linked the situation to the operations of the MS-13 gang. His remarks coincided with a period when officials in the White House supported his decisions a few months after the Supreme Court mandated the administration to facilitate his return.
Abrego Garcia returned to face charges related to a traffic incident in Tennessee from 2022. He recently pleaded not guilty to those charges.
His attorneys have inquired whether he would be kept in a Tennessee prison while awaiting trial, particularly since prosecutors had hinted at deporting him to a third country upon possible release. This request was approved.
