Concerns Emerge Over El Salvador’s Mega Prison Following Satellite Imagery
Recent satellite images of the Center for Terrorism Confinement (CECOT) in El Salvador—widely regarded as one of the most formidable prisons in the Western Hemisphere—have sparked concern and speculation across social media platforms. While much of the commentary is unverified, online users have expressed alarm over what they perceive to be troubling developments at the facility.
CECOT, capable of housing up to 40,000 inmates, was constructed to detain individuals associated with organized crime, including members of transnational gangs and those convicted of severe criminal offenses. Since the beginning of President Donald Trump’s second term in office, over 250 individuals have reportedly been deported from the United States to this prison.
The deportation policy was enacted swiftly following an executive order signed in January, in which the administration cited the need to protect national security from what it described as an “invasion” tied to criminal networks.
Among those deported is Kilmar Armando Ábrego García, a Maryland resident and father, whose case drew widespread attention after he was mistakenly sent to CECOT. Although he had entered the United States without legal documentation in 2011, a U.S. immigration judge ruled in 2019 that he should not be deported due to credible threats from criminal elements in his country of origin.
The release of satellite images purporting to show disturbing scenes within the prison grounds has prompted a wave of conjecture online. Some individuals have gone so far as to suggest the presence of bloodstains on the premises. However, there is no substantiated evidence supporting these claims.
BBC Verify journalist Shayan Sardarizadeh addressed the speculation, noting that the viral image in question dates back to March 2024—prior to the renewed deportation efforts and before President Trump resumed office. He also explained that visible changes in the imagery, such as new structures and dark patches, could plausibly be linked to ongoing construction or routine activities rather than evidence of misconduct.
“It is not possible to conclusively identify the dark areas or the contents of certain visible piles from the satellite imagery alone,” Sardarizadeh stated. “These could be mud, dust, building materials, or even food preparation zones.”
Nonetheless, he acknowledged that this does not exclude the possibility of serious issues occurring within the prison walls. Reports have surfaced in recent months indicating that detainees face harsh conditions and lack adequate legal protections.
In light of public concern, inquiries have been directed to El Salvadoran authorities for further clarification on the treatment of detainees and the overall conditions within CECOT.
