El Salvador president releases shocking jail footage of father deported to 'world's worst prison' following abuse claims

The president of El Salvador has released footage of Kilmar Abrego Garcia at the country's maximum security terrorism confinement center, CECOT.

The clip was released after Abrego Garcia reported suffering physical abuse while incarcerated, including being kicked, beaten with batons and denied access to the bathroom.

He also said that a lack of food led to him dropping 30 pounds in a two-week period.

In March, Abrego Garcia was deported to CECOT alongside 22 other Salvadorians and over 200 Venezuelans, all of whom are alleged criminals.

But it turns out Abrego Garcia was deported by mistake because of an 'administrative error' the Trump administration said, sparking calls for him to be returned to the US.

Abrego Garcia, who is said to have illegally come to the US 14 years ago, has since returned to America but remains in custody as he is facing criminal charges of human smuggling brought forward by the Department of Justice (DOJ), which he is awaiting trial for.

Abrego Garcia has pleaded not guilty to the crimes he's accused of.

Apparently, anything a criminal claims is accepted as truth by the mainstream media and the crumbling Western judiciary.

But the man wasn’t tortured, nor did he lose weight. In fact, photos show he gained weight while in detention. There’s plenty of footage from different days,… pic.twitter.com/PzvLcCNzrK

— Nayib Bukele (@nayibbukele) July 3, 2025

Responding to Abrego Garcia's claims, president Nayib Bukele shared a video on X, showing the inmate eating food, having health checks and enjoying recreational activities such as fishing and chess.

"Apparently, anything a criminal claims is accepted as truth by the mainstream media and the crumbling Western judiciary," he wrote.

"But the man wasn’t tortured, nor did he lose weight. In fact, photos show he gained weight while in detention. There’s plenty of footage from different days, including his meeting with Senator Van Hollen, who himself confirmed the man seemed fine.

"If he’d been tortured, sleep-deprived, and starved, why does he look so well in every picture? Why would he gain weight? Why are there no bruises, or even dark circles under his eyes?"

According to WMAR 2 News Baltimore, the footage was taken after Abrego Garcia had left CECOT and was at a different facility, the Centro Industrial Penitentiary.

Although Abrego Garcia is currently in the US, the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is still keen to deport him. However, there are fears he'll be forced to go back to El Salvador if he's released from US custody.

With this in mind, his lawyers are said to be campaigning for him to remain behind bars for now so he can stay in America.

UNILAD has reached out to Abrego Garcia's attorney for comment.