Above photo: Lawyer Jaime Ortega speaks with journalists outside the Supreme Court of Justice (CSJ) headquarters this Monday in El Salvador. Mar 24, 2025 EFE.
Grupo Ortega Law Firm demands release of 238 Venezuelans detained in El Salvador’s CECOT, citing human rights violations.
Habeas corpus has been filed before the Supreme Court.
NOTE: The Orinoco Tribune also reports that: On Monday, US President Trump claimed that the Venezuelan government “intentionally and deceitfully sent tens of thousands of high-level criminals to the United States, covertly, many of whom are murderers and people of a very violent nature,” including members of the Tren de Aragua criminal organization, which Trump described as a “terrorist organization.” In response, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro described Trump’s statement as “the biggest lie ever told about our country.” Maduro noted that this accusation is comparable to the US allegations against Iraq in 2003, when the US claimed that Iraq was manufacturing weapons of mass destruction. This unfounded claim, later proven to be entirely false, was used to justify the US military invasion and war against Iraq that left more than one million civilians dead. Trump issued this false accusation against Venezuela on his Truth social media account in an attempt to justify the upcoming implementation of 25% “secondary tariffs” against any country that buys oil and gas from Venezuela.
The prominent Grupo Ortega law firm filed a habeas corpus petition on Tuesday before El Salvador’s Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice (CSJ). The legal action seeks the immediate release of 238 Venezuelan migrants currently detained at the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT).
In an official statement, the firm argued that these detentions may violate fundamental rights, including personal liberty, due process, and protection against cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment. They emphasized that these rights are protected under both El Salvador’s Constitution and international treaties ratified by the country.
Jaime Ortega, a partner at the firm, stated the following: “Our legal firm is committed to the unrestricted defense and respect of human rights and access to justice for all people, regardless of origin, race, creed, nationality, or immigration status.” He added that the Venezuelan migrants are in a vulnerable situation requiring urgent action.
The habeas corpus petition requests the Constitutional Chamber to order the immediate release of the detainees or, alternatively, to ensure a fair and transparent legal process. As a last resort, the firm demanded their prompt repatriation under dignified conditions.
Grupo Ortega also issued a public appeal to Salvadoran authorities to respect migrants’ human rights and comply with international obligations regarding refugee and asylum protections.
The CECOT, a maximum-security prison opened in 2023, has faced repeated criticism from human rights organizations. Concerns focus on detention conditions and mass arrests under El Salvador’s ongoing state of emergency. This case reignites debates over the treatment of migrants in the country.