Bukele Exposes Media Falsehoods: No Torture of Migrant Ábrego in Salvadoran Prison

In a decisive rebuttal to misleading reports and judicial leaks, El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele firmly denied allegations that migrant Kilmar Ábrego was tortured while detained in a high-security prison designed for dangerous gang criminals. This correction challenges the narrative pushed by international media and certain activist circles eager to discredit legitimate law enforcement efforts.

Ábrego, deported back to El Salvador under the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement policies, had claimed mistreatment during his incarceration. However, Bukele shared verifiable evidence — including photos showing weight gain rather than loss and video footage capturing Ábrego appearing in good health on multiple days. Notably, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen’s confirmation that Ábrego seemed well during their meeting further undermines the torture allegations.

This incident highlights a familiar pattern: Western media outlets and parts of the judiciary frequently accept unverified claims from individuals associated with criminal or illegal activities without sufficient scrutiny. Such hasty conclusions not only undermine the truth but also embolden transnational crime at America’s expense.

Bukele’s intervention serves as an important reminder of the need for rigorous fact-checking and skepticism toward narratives that conveniently paint law enforcement efforts abroad as abusive while ignoring the broader context — including protection of sovereignty and rule of law against gang violence.

The Trump administration took a strong stance on illegal immigration, enforcing deportations that preserve national security interests. The attempt to malign those policies through unfounded stories about conditions abroad should be met with firm opposition from supporters of law and order.

Americans must remain vigilant against manipulative narratives designed to undermine border security measures crucial for upholding our laws and protecting communities. President Bukele’s clear presentation of facts offers much-needed clarity amid a sea of misinformation.