Archive · 24 Jul 2025
Venezuelan Makeup Artist Returns Home, Describes Torture in El Salvador
Andry Hernandez, a makeup artist, returned to Venezuela after being held in a prison in El Salvador.
He says he was tortured while he was there.
He was sent to El Salvador after being deported from the U.S. because the U.S. government thought he was in a gang.
Hernandez denies this.
The Venezuelan government is now investigating El Salvador's President because of what happened to Hernandez.
The U.S. government has dismissed the claims of abuse.
Hernandez's family and friends were very happy to see him return home.
Venezuelan makeup artist Andry Hernandez returned home after being detained in El Salvador.
Hernandez described experiencing torture during his four-month detention in CECOT prison.
He was deported from the U.S. to El Salvador under the Alien Enemies Act.
The U.S. alleged Hernandez was a gang member based on tattoos, which he denied.
Venezuela's attorney general will investigate El Salvador President Nayib Bukele over the alleged abuses.
- Who
- Andry Hernandez, along with other Venezuelan migrants, and El Salvador authorities.
- What
- A Venezuelan makeup artist described torture during detention in El Salvador.
- When
- Hernandez returned home Wednesday, after spending four months in El Salvador’s CECOT prison.
- Where
- Capacho, Venezuela and CECOT prison in El Salvador.
- Why
- Hernandez and others were deported by the U.S. based on gang allegations.
Hernandez's Stance and Supporters
U.S. Government's Position
Abuse Allegations
Hernandez's Stance and Supporters
Claims of torture and abuse while detained.
U.S. Government's Position
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security dismissed the allegations of abuse.
Gang Allegations
Hernandez's Stance and Supporters
Denied gang affiliation, based on tattoos.
U.S. Government's Position
Accused of gang membership (Tren de Aragua) based on tattoos.
- Name
- Andry Hernandez
- Age
- 32
- Profession
- Makeup Artist
- Detention Location
- CECOT prison, El Salvador
- Deportation Source
- U.S.
- Alleged Abuse
- Beatings, rubber projectiles, dark cells, rotten food, sexual abuse