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Venezuelan barber beaten and isolated at Guantanamo, deported after transfer from El Paso

Feb 20, 2025 · El Paso, TX, Venezuela

Venezuelan barber beaten and isolated at Guantanamo, deported after transfer from El Paso

Mayfreed Durán Arapé, a Venezuelan barber, was detained in July 2023 on his third border crossing attempt and convicted in August 2023 of assaulting a federal officer during a riot at an El Paso immigration detention center. On February 8, 2025, he was transferred without explanation to Guantanamo Bay Naval Base along with more than 170 other Venezuelan men. During his two-week detention at Guantanamo, Durán Arapé alleges he was beaten by guards, denied access to attorneys and family calls, provided inadequate food and water, and stripped of bedding as punishment. He attempted suicide twice and provided photos of bruising and self-harm scars. On February 20, 2025, he was deported to Venezuela. The Trump administration claimed the detainees were members of Tren de Aragua, though court documents show nearly 30% had no criminal records and the government provided no evidence against Durán Arapé.

Timeline

Feb 20, 2025Deported to Venezuela after two weeks at Guantanamo; during detention alleged he was beaten by guards, denied attorney access and family calls, provided inadequate food and water, and stripped of bedding; attempted suicide twice
Feb 8, 2025Transferred without explanation from El Paso detention center to Guantanamo Bay Naval Base along with more than 170 other Venezuelan men
Feb 6, 2025Durán Arapé called his father asking him to gather documentation proving he had no criminal record in Venezuela, as officials were trying to tie him to a criminal organization
Aug 1, 2023Convicted of assaulting a federal officer during a riot at El Paso detention center
Jul 1, 2023Mayfreed Durán Arapé detained on his third border crossing attempt

Sources

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