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Venezuelan soccer coach detained at border, deported to El Salvador prison, tortured

Mar 15, 2025 · Venezuela

Venezuelan soccer coach detained at border, deported to El Salvador prison, tortured

Leonardo José Colmenares Solórzano, a 31-year-old former youth soccer coach from Venezuela, was detained by CBP agents at a scheduled border appointment in October 2024 after they photographed his tattoos. Internal DHS data showed he had no criminal history and no U.S. or foreign convictions or charges. He was deported to CECOT prison in El Salvador on March 15, 2025, under the Alien Enemies Act as part of a group of 238 Venezuelan deportees labeled as terrorists and gang members despite DHS data showing most had no U.S. criminal convictions. While incarcerated, Colmenares reported being tortured—guards stomped on his hands, poured filthy water in his ears, and threatened beatings. He was returned to Venezuela on July 18, 2025, as part of a prisoner swap.

Timeline

Jul 18, 2025Returned to Venezuela as part of prisoner swap after four months in CECOT prison
Mar 15, 2025Deported to CECOT prison in El Salvador under Alien Enemies Act; designated as terrorist/gang member despite no criminal convictions
Oct 2024Leonardo José Colmenares Solórzano detained at CBP border appointment; agents photograph his tattoos

Sources

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