Woman Shocked to See Son in El Salvador’s Mega Prison: ‘He's Not A Criminal’
A Venezuelan man was sitting among the members of the Tren de Aragua gang, who were transported to El Salvador’s Terrorism Confinement Center.
A Venezuelan mother was shocked after discovering that her son was one of the 238 people deported to the notorious prison by Donald Trump’s administration. Myrelis Casique Lopez was aware that her son, Francisco Jose Garcia Casique, was getting deported for living illegally in the US, but she thought he’d come back home. After waiting for him to return, she was stunned to see him on the news. Francisco was sitting among the members of the Tren de Aragua gang, who were transported to El Salvador’s Terrorism Confinement Center. This gang is involved in dangerous crimes. Myrelis recognised her son, who was handcuffed and surrounded by other men in white prison uniforms.
Myrelis told the BBC that she is sure her son is among the people held in the prison, even though the authorities have not shared any official names. She pointed towards a picture of a man sitting on the floor, with his head down, next to other prisoners. She recognised him by his facial features and a tattoo on his arm. Despite seeing the picture, Myrelis insists that her son is innocent.
related stories
- Opinion | Eroding Respect, Rising Impunity: A Threat To National Security And The Men At Borders
- Why Names Of These Nine Sisters In China End The Same Way
- Teaching His Son To Ride A Bike, Man Fights Murder Charges After Fatal Accident
- Donald Trump Signs Executive Order To Dismantle Education Department
Myrelis Casique Lopez said, “He doesn’t belong to any criminal gang, either in the US or in Venezuela, he’s not a criminal. What he’s been is a barber. Unfortunately, he has tattoos It’s him, I wish it wasn’t him… he didn’t deserve to be transferred there." Francisco Jose Garcia Casique left Venezuela in 2019 in search of better work opportunities. In September 2023, he entered the United States without legal permission.
US immigration officials stated that the detainees were thoroughly investigated and confirmed as gang members before being sent to El Salvador. They used surveillance, police reports and victim testimonies as proof.
A White House official said their goal was to remove dangerous individuals before they could harm others. However, many of them had no criminal records in the US. They were transported under an old law that does not require official charges. Some deportees did have criminal records for serious crimes like murder, drug trafficking, kidnapping and running illegal businesses.
Sebastian, Francisco’s brother, explained that Francisco voluntarily surrendered himself and was first held in a migrant centre. After getting released, he was still asked to check in regularly. One day, when he couldn’t reach the assigned court, he went to an ICE office to ask for guidance.
Officers noticed his tattoos, questioned him and then took him into custody. He remained there for two months, between February and April 22, 2024. Although ICE found no criminal record, they assumed he was linked to the Tren de Aragua gang because of his tattoos.
- Location :
- First Published: