CBS News confirmed it will finally air the delayed 60 Minutes report this Sunday night. The network shelved the segment in December, citing a need for more reporting. At that time, CBS also removed a link to the "Inside CECOT" page and promised a later broadcast date.
Focus on Salvadoran Mega-Prison
CECOT is a massive prison facility located in El Salvador. The United States government has sent hundreds of migrants there, most of them Venezuelan nationals. These individuals were deported without facing trial. Human rights organizations strongly criticize CECOT for its extremely harsh and inhumane living conditions.
Report Details and Allegations
For the Sunday broadcast, CBS added a new description. It states the Trump administration deported hundreds of Venezuelans to El Salvador last year. Many of these people had no prior connections to the country. US officials claimed they were terrorists.
The segment features correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi. She interviews Venezuelan men who were eventually released from CECOT. These former detainees describe the conditions inside the prison as brutal and torturous. They share firsthand accounts of their experiences.
CBS Statement and Accidental Leak
CBS News released a statement on Sunday. It said, "CBS News leadership has always been committed to airing the 60 MINUTES CECOT piece as soon as it was ready. Tonight, viewers get to see it, along with other important stories."
A CBS spokesperson previously told Reuters the segment was accidentally streamed in December. It appeared on Canada's Global TV app. The report includes serious allegations that Venezuelan deportees faced torture at CECOT. It also questions how the US government characterized these individuals.
Leadership Changes at CBS
The decision to air the report comes during a period of transition. Bari Weiss is implementing changes at the network. She was chosen to lead CBS News in October. This followed the acquisition of The Free Press by Paramount Skydance. Weiss founded The Free Press, an online publication.
The report was compiled by journalists in Bengaluru and Los Angeles. Their work highlights ongoing concerns about migrant treatment and US deportation policies.
