- By Indivisible Denver
- July 24, 2025
- 0 Comments
Out of CECOT!
Denver Joins Nationwide Vigil for Immigrant Justice
Standing in Solidarity at the Salvadoran Consulate
On July 24, 2025, dozens of Coloradans gathered outside the Salvadoran Consulate in Aurora to stand in peaceful protest against the illegal transfer and inhumane treatment of 252 Venezuelan men. This Denver protest was part of a coordinated grassroots movement at consulates nationwide, with parallel vigils in San Francisco, Seattle, San Bernardino, San Diego County, and Springdale, Arkansas. The Salvadoran Study Group (SSG), a project of Indivisible Denver Action and Immigrant Protection Teams Colorado, organized the vigil in Aurora.
Participants gathered on the sidewalks near the consulate, dressed in white as a symbol of peace and solidarity. Together, they called for an end to the Trump regime’s unlawful deportations and the Salvadoran government’s participation in human rights violations.
Why We Protested: Out of CECOT!
In March 2025, in direct violation of a judge’s order, over 250 men were forcibly transported to El Salvador’s notorious CECOT prison. Reports confirmed that many had no criminal record and were fully in compliance with U.S. law. Stripped of due process and denied a chance to contest their deportations, they became pawns in an unprecedented and deeply troubling “hostage swap.”
On July 18, 252 Venezuelan men were flown to Venezuela as part of that exchange — an action that remains unexplained and unjustified.
CECOT, infamous for its harsh and inhumane treatment, was never a lawful or humane destination. By rendering these men into El Salvador’s custody, the U.S. violated not only their rights but international standards of justice.
When Cruelty Has a Name
These letters didn’t just cite facts and figures — they carried the stories of people whose lives were directly impacted. Among them were the experiences of Andrés Guillermo Morales Rolón, Andry José Hernández Romero, and Arturo Suárez Trejo, all of whom suffered from unlawful detention and forced transfer to El Salvador’s CECOT prison. Sharing their stories in the letters made the action deeply personal, reminding participants that this struggle is not abstract — it is about real people with families, dreams, and dignity.
During the protest, organizers symbolically presented the “1000th letter” to the consulate — a clear message to President Bukele that his cooperation with illegal U.S. deportations is unacceptable. The letter called on El Salvador to stop accepting rendered hostages, release those already transferred, and repair the damage done to its international reputation.
After the Vigil: The Horrible Truths from CECOT
Since our vigil on July 24, the full scope of the horrors endured by the men sent to CECOT has come into focus—adding urgency to our movement.
Real Stories of Abuse and Survival
*[1.5em] A major investigation by The Washington Post exposed graphic, firsthand accounts of beatings, sexual assault, medical neglect, and nonstop harsh conditions endured by 16 Venezuelan men detained at CECOT for 125 days. These details raise serious concerns over potential violations of international human rights law.The Washington Post
*[1.5em] Shortly before that report, roughly 250 Venezuelans deported to CECOT were returned to Venezuela under a prisoner exchange. Among them were Mervin Yamarte, Edwar Hernández, Andy Perozo, and Ringo Rincón—each sharing harrowing tales of torture, being forced to eat from the floor, and extreme isolation. Venezuela’s government has since launched a human rights probe. Diario AS
Individual Cases Make It Personal
Andry José Hernández Romero, a gay Venezuelan asylum seeker charged under the Alien Enemies Act, was finally freed after 125 days in CECOT—thanks in part to legal and public pressure. Wikipedia The Guardian
Arturo Suárez-Trejo, a musician known as SuarezVzla, endured brutal conditions before being released via the prisoner exchange. In a devastating reflection, he called CECOT nothing short of a “cemetery of the living dead.” The Guardian
Another man, Kilmar Abrego García, was severely beaten, held in windowless cells with bright lights, and threatened with violence—even though he wasn’t a confirmed gang member. His attorneys are pursuing justice. The Washington Post
Growing Calls for Accountability
In light of these revelations, Representative Delia Ramirez (IL-03) has urged Congress to launch hearings into reported human rights abuses at CECOT—including allegations of torture, starvation, and physical assaults.The Guardian
Call To Action
For months, the Salvadoran Study Group (SSG), a project of Indivisible Denver Action has been mobilizing community voices to demand accountability. Learn about upcoming actions on our Take Action page.