Who Are The Disappeared?
The men highlighted here were deported under the Alien Enemies Act, many without any opportunity to contest their removal in court or to even understand what was happening to them. Once in El Salvador, they were transferred directly to CECOT (Centro de Confinamiento del Terrorismo), a supermax prison infamous for its inhumane conditions and described by the Salvadoran government as a place where detainees “will never leave”.
Photo by Philip Holsinger.
Photo by Philip Holsinger.
What Happens at CECOT?
CECOT is a facility designed for mass incarceration, with a reported capacity of up to 40,000. Detainees are denied communication with their families and lawyers. They appear before courts only in large, impersonal online hearings, and are often held in solitary confinement or in cells with minimal time outside-sometimes just 30 minutes a day. Human rights organizations have documented torture, ill-treatment, and severe violations of basic rights within its walls.
Why Were These Men Sent There?
Many of the men sent to CECOT have no criminal convictions that would justify such extreme detention. Some were mistakenly deported, including individuals who had previously been granted protection from deportation or who had no ties to gangs or criminal activity. The U.S. government has funded and coordinated these detentions, with officials openly acknowledging their influence over who is held at CECOT and for how long.
Photo by Philip Holsinger.
Photo by Philip Holsinger.
The Human Cost
Families of the disappeared are left in anguish, unable to contact their loved ones or even confirm their well-being. Men like Edicson David Quintero Chacón -- a father, carpenter, and fisherman -- were sent to CECOT despite ongoing legal challenges and without any legal basis for their continued detention. Once inside, there are no known cases of anyone being released.
Our Mission
- Document and Share Stories: We collect and publish the personal histories of the men sent to CECOT, giving voice to those silenced behind prison walls.
- Raise Awareness: By exposing the reality of U.S.-funded detentions in El Salvador, we aim to inform the public and policymakers about these grave injustices.
- Advocate for Justice: We support legal efforts to challenge unlawful detentions, demand due process, and push for the humane treatment and release of those wrongfully imprisoned.
Photo by Philip Holsinger.
Photo by Philip Holsinger.
How You Can Help
- Stay Informed: Read and share the stories featured on this site.
- Support Advocacy: Join campaigns calling for accountability and the protection of human rights.
- Amplify Voices: Help us ensure that the disappeared are not forgotten.