Venezuelan barber beaten and isolated at Guantanamo, deported after transfer from El Paso
Feb 20, 2025·Location: El Paso, TX
Country of origin: Venezuela

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
Sources
- U.S. Claims Immigrants Held at Guantanamo Are “Worst of the Worst.” Their Families Say They’re Being Unfairly Targeted.
ProPublica·Feb 13, 2025·archived copy
- President Trump sends first US migrant detainees to Guantanamo Bay
BBC·Feb 5, 2025·archived copy
- Venezuelan men allege mistreatment while in detention in Guantánamo Bay
NPR·Feb 25, 2025·archived copy
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