The Horror of Spectacle: El Salvador’s CECOT Video and the Dehumanization of Deportees
A chilling propaganda video from El Salvador reveals the inhumane treatment of U.S. deportees, exposing the dangers of dehumanization and due process violations.
El Salvador’s government recently released a chilling propaganda video showcasing the arrival of U.S. deportees at its notorious mega-prison, CECOT.
The footage, framed to elicit public approval, depicts these individuals as dangerous criminals, paraded in chains and herded into the prison’s brutal conditions.
Social media reactions were split—some praised the move as a tough-on-crime measure, while others condemned it as a grotesque display of human rights violations.
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To be clear—this video is not just disturbing; it is horrifying.
The U.S. government, under Trump’s use of the Alien Enemies Act, has been deporting individuals without trial, effectively bypassing due process. And now, we see them handed over to one of the most brutal prison systems in the world—without confirmation of their guilt, without an opportunity to defend themselves, without justice.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, specifically U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), has admitted they have little or no information on the deportees, claiming that makes them even more dangerous.
Yet, here they are, locked away in one of the most infamous penitentiaries on the planet, with no way to prove their innocence.
Manufactured Spectacle: The Weaponization of Fear
The CECOT video is not about justice; it is about control.
It serves a dual purpose: domestically, it bolsters President Bukele’s image as an authoritarian strongman; internationally, it justifies inhumane policies under the guise of crime reduction.
But at its core, it is a tool of dehumanization.
By parading these men like cattle, the government strips them of their humanity in the public eye, making it easier for people to justify their suffering.
Let’s look at a few of the responses to the video posted on Twitter.
Supporters of the CECOT Video
These comments ignore a crucial point: we do not know if all these people are criminals. There has been no trial, no due process.
Critics of the CECOT Video
Doubling Down: White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt's Callous Justification
In response to the growing backlash over the deportation video, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the administration's stance during a recent press conference.
She dismissed concerns with a smile, stating, "it sums up our immigration policy – you don't have to go home, but you can't stay here."
This casual delivery underscores the administration's indifference to the fate of those being forcibly deported, many without due process.
Watch the Press Conference Clip Below
This moment wasn't just a defense of the policy—it was a celebration of it, treating human lives as political props.
Legal Perspective: A Human Rights Attorney Weighs In
The legal and human rights implications of these deportations extend far beyond this single video. I reached out to Qasim Rashid, a human rights attorney, for his thoughts on this disturbing spectacle. Here’s what he had to say:
“We’ve seen this before, and history has warned us where it leads. The El Salvador CECOT video is a chilling display of state-sanctioned dehumanization, one that echoes the darkest chapters of our past. Today, it's deportees. Tomorrow, it could be anyone deemed ‘undesirable.’ We must recognize this atrocity for what it is—a grave assault on justice echoing mass atrocities of yesteryear.”
Grave words we should all note and heed.
The Dangerous Precedent of Indifference
History warns us of what happens when societies normalize dehumanization.
Today, it is undocumented migrants deported without trial.
Tomorrow, it could be anyone deemed ‘undesirable.’
The U.S. government’s complicity in this horror is undeniable, and the silence from many in the public is deafening.
We should be outraged. We should be demanding answers. We should be standing up for the fundamental principle that every human being deserves due process, no matter their nationality or immigration status.
For a deeper dive into the legal abuses enabling these deportations, read my recent article: Deported Without Trial: How Trump’s Use of the Alien Enemies Act is Bypassing Due Process.
And if you want to see for yourself, here’s the ICE report confirming that some of these deportees had no criminal records: Read the report here.
We cannot allow our humanity to erode under the weight of propaganda. This is not law and order. This is injustice.
The Video: A Chilling Display of Dehumanization
The video below is a direct product of state propaganda, designed to desensitize the public to human suffering and normalize authoritarian cruelty. It is deeply disturbing and should be viewed with caution.
⚠️ Trigger Warning ⚠️
This video contains distressing footage of individuals being forcibly detained and transported to a high-security prison. The scenes depicted are highly dehumanizing and may be disturbing to viewers. Viewer discretion is strongly advised.