A group of human rights organizations has filed a lawsuit against the Trump Administration on behalf of the families of three Venezuelan immigrants sent to Guantanamo Bay Naval Base.
The legal action seeks to obtain information about the conditions of detention and ensure access to legal assistance for those affected, who, according to the complaint, are being held incommunicado.
The lawsuit was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the Center for Constitutional Rights, among other organizations.
One of the mentioned cases is that of a woman who discovered that her brother was detained in Guantánamo after seeing a photograph published by the U.S. government.
The DHS confirmed the transfer of one of the migrants, Luis Alberto Castillo, 30 years old, to the Guantanamo naval base. His sister, Yajaira Castillo, claims that her brother's situation is unjust.
According to civil rights attorneys, the Trump administration has not clarified the duration of the confinement of these migrants nor provided information about the legal framework that justifies their detention.
The Castillo family claims that he was sent to Guantanamo just days after entering the U.S. through the CBP One application. They deny that he is a member of the Tren de Aragua gang and assert that he was only detained because of a tattoo.
Authorities have argued that some of the immigrants sent to the naval base have ties to the transnational criminal organization Tren de Aragua, an accusation that has been denied by the relatives of several of those detained.
Such is the case for Tilso Gómez, a 37-year-old mechanic whose family denies that he is a criminal, and they also assert that he was only arrested because of his tattoos.
According to CBS News, the U.S. Government has transferred at least a hundred Venezuelans to Guantánamo.
However, no details have been provided about their identities or the legal framework under which they have been detained.
Reactions and Criticism of the Transfer of Migrants to Guantánamo
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has defended the detentions, arguing that immigrants have access to communication with attorneys.
However, family members and human rights organizations have reported that they have not been able to establish contact with the detainees.
"If the American Civil Liberties Union is more interested in highly dangerous criminal migrants than in American citizens, they should change their name," stated DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin in an email to the EFE agency
Cases of detained immigrants
The immigrants in question were not arrested on the streets, but were already in custody in detention centers in Texas, some for over five months.
This contradicts the version of the U.S. Government, which claims that they were "taken" off the streets.
EFE conducted an investigation and found no criminal records in the U.S. linking three of the detainees to the Tren de Aragua.
Impact and legal consequences
The Trump administration has expressed its intention to relocate tens of thousands of immigrants to Guantánamo, which, according to the plaintiffs, could set a dangerous precedent.
"The detention of immigrants in Guantánamo without access to lawyers or basic protections is a serious violation of their rights and an alarming abuse of governmental power," stated Rebecca Lightsey, co-director of American Gateways.
For his part, Lee Gelernt from the ACLU Immigrants' Rights Project stated, “By sending immigrants to a remote island, isolating them from lawyers and family, the government is showing its contempt for the rule of law.”
The lawsuit emphasizes that the Guantanamo base has been used in the past to operate secretly without accountability.
In addition to the ACLU and the Center for Constitutional Rights, the complaint is supported by organizations such as the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP), Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center, RAICES, American Gateways, and Americans for Immigrant Justice.
List of migrants detained in Guantánamo
The New York Times obtained a partial list of 53 immigrants sent from a detention center in Texas to a prison facility at the Guantánamo Naval Base.
According to the newspaper, the U.S. Government has described them as "high-risk illegal aliens" or members of violent gangs, although it has not provided concrete evidence of this.
Among the names appearing on the list are:
Acosta Carreno, Yonniel Daniel.
Alviares Armas, Jhonatan Alejandro.
Azocar-Moreno, Alexandro.
Bastidas Paz, Jhoan.
Bellorin-Cardiel, Javier Alejandro.
Bermudez Gamez, Jose.
Briceno-Rojas, Adrian Jose.
Cardozo Oliveros, Carlos.
Castillo Rivera, Luis Alberto.
Ceballos-Jemenez, Kleiber Eduardo.
Chirino Torres, Jonathan.
Chirinos Rodriguez, Edixon Leonel.
Duarte-Marin, Allinzon.
Duran-Arape, Mayfreed.
Escalona Hernandez, Jefferson *.
Esteira Medina, Misael Jose.
Gomez Lugo, Tilso Ramon.
Guerrero Mejias, Bryan Sleydher.
Guevara-Varguillas, Sergio Gabriel.
Guilarte, Oswal Yonaiker.
Liendo-Liendo, Endry Jose.
Lindado Mazo, Ricardo Jose.
Marquez Sanchez, Jesus David.
Medina Andrade, Jose Gregario.
Mendez Canas, Freddy Javier.
Mendez Ramos, Jesus Enrique.
Montes Fernandez, Franyer.
Mundaray-Salazar, Argelis Jose.
Orelanna, Deiby Jose *.
Oviedo-Hurtado, Brayan Alberto.
Palma-Osorio, Carlos David.
Paredes Salazar, Jose Alejandro.
Prado Pirona, Jesus.
Purroy Roldan, Yoiner Jose.
Quintero Quintero, Yohanderson.
Rios Salas, Luis Alberto.
Rivas-Rivas, Lorwis Jose.
Rivero Pinero, Brayan.
Rodriguez Diaz, Kevin.
Rodriguez Fermin, Rafael.
Rojas Pena, Junior.
Sanchez Vasquez, Junior.
Sandovalascanio, Anthony Yosmar.
Santana-Jara, Andres.
Simancas Rodriguez, Jose.
Sulbaran D’Avila, Erick Johan.
Tiberio-Pacheco, Julio.
Uvieda Machado, Alexis.
Uzcategui Uzcaegui, Diuvar *.
Velazquez-Penaloza, Julio Jose.
Villasana Villegas, Douglas Jesus.
Wullians Oropeza, Daimer.
Yanes-Gonzalez, Ali Jose.
As of today, the situation of these migrants remains unresolved, and the advocating organizations continue to push for guaranteed access to legal assistance and basic rights in their immigration process.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Detention of Venezuelans in Guantánamo
Why have Venezuelan immigrants been sent to Guantánamo?
The U.S. government, under the administration of Donald Trump, has transferred Venezuelan immigrants to Guantanamo Naval Base, claiming that some of them are members of the criminal gang Tren de Aragua. However, the families and lawyers of the detainees deny these accusations, arguing that they have been detained without concrete evidence.
What organizations are involved in defending the rights of detainees in Guantanamo?
Various organizations have filed lawsuits to defend the rights of detainees at Guantánamo. Among them are the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the Center for Constitutional Rights, which demand transparency regarding detention conditions and access to legal assistance for immigrants.
What is the U.S. government's argument to justify these arrests?
The U.S. government maintains that the immigrants transferred to Guantanamo are considered high-risk, alleging connections to criminal activities. However, the accusations of belonging to criminal groups such as Tren de Aragua have not been supported by concrete evidence, according to investigations and statements from defense lawyers.
What legal impact could this situation have for the detainees and their families?
The transfer of immigrants to Guantanamo without a clear legal framework and without access to legal assistance could set a dangerous precedent for human rights violations. The detainees and their families face uncertainty about the duration of the detention and access to due process.
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