Arturo Suarez, a 34-year-old aspiring singer, was arrested in North Carolina while filming a music video. Despite having no criminal record, U.S. authorities accused him of gang ties based solely on his 33 tattoos. He was deported to El Salvador and sent to CECOT, the country’s massive new mega-prison, known for its harsh conditions.
Suarez described the prison as a nightmare: overcrowded cells, constant beatings, and psychological abuse. “They didn’t just imprison us—they wanted to break us,” he said. Speaking out loud or bathing more than once a day could get you punished.
After nearly five months, Suarez was released as part of a U.S.-Venezuela prisoner swap. Now back in Venezuela and staying with relatives, he’s trying to heal from the trauma. His wife and baby daughter are still in Chile, while his family supports him through recovery.
His story highlights the human toll of aggressive immigration enforcement and raises questions about locking up people with no convictions in brutal prison systems.
