El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele has publicly refuted allegations made by Kilmar Ábrego García—a Salvadoran gang member recently transferred to the United States—who claimed he had been subjected to torture, sleep deprivation, and malnutrition during his imprisonment in El Salvador.
Through a series of posts on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, President Bukele shared never-before-seen footage and photographs of Ábrego inside the prison facilities, where he is shown in good health, engaging in activities such as gardening, watching television, and playing soccer. Far from appearing emaciated or injured, Ábrego looked well-nourished and physically active. In fact, Bukele noted that Ábrego had gained weight during his incarceration.
“If he had been tortured, deprived of sleep and food, why does he look so good in all the photos?” Bukele questioned in a widely shared post. “Why would he have gained weight? Why are there no bruises, or even dark circles under his eyes?”
The video compilation released by the Salvadoran government included scenes from multiple days and documented Ábrego interacting normally within the prison, even during a meeting with U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen, who reportedly confirmed that Ábrego seemed physically well.
President Bukele further criticized mainstream media outlets and elements of the Western judiciary for amplifying Ábrego’s claims without evidence. “Some people will see tons of evidence and still believe a criminal with zero proof. Are they zombies or what?” he wrote.
No medical reports, verifiable images, or independent documentation have been presented to support Ábrego’s claims of abuse. In contrast, the visual and testimonial evidence provided by Salvadoran authorities paints a picture of normal prison conditions and a lack of mistreatment.
This incident underscores growing tensions between El Salvador and certain international observers over the country’s security policies and justice system. President Bukele and his administration maintain that they will not allow criminal narratives to distort the nation’s progress in security and justice reforms.