Gay Venezuelan asylum seeker Andry Hernández Romero breaks his silence following harrowing 125-day ordeal inside El Salvador’s CECOT supermax prison
– 2 min read
In an interview with Tim Miller of The Bulwark, gay Venezuelan asylum seeker Andry Hernández Romero has broken his silence following a harrowing 125-day ordeal inside El Salvador’s CECOT supermax prison - a facility human rights advocates have likened to a modern concentration camp.
Hernández Romero, a 31-year-old makeup artist, entered the United States legally in August 2024 seeking refuge from anti-LGBTQ+ persecution in Venezuela. Within days, he was detained and falsely accused of gang affiliation based on tattoos honouring his parents and a theatre group. Despite his pleas and evidence to the contrary, he was deported under the Trump administration’s revived use of the Alien Enemies Act, a centuries-old wartime law.
Speaking to Miller in Spanish - his words later translated - Hernández Romero recounted being deceived about his destination, beaten upon arrival in San Salvador, and thrown into CECOT. “They started hitting and kicking us… between two officers, they dragged us down the stairs,” he said.
Inside the prison, Hernández Romero faced sexual assault, psychological torment, and the constant fear of never leaving. Yet, he found strength in faith and solidarity. “We entered as 252 strangers and left as 252 brothers,” he told Miller, describing how prayer and mutual protection helped them endure.
Despite the trauma, Hernández Romero spoke without bitterness. “Nobody likes having their name dragged through the mud,” he said, reflecting on the false narratives surrounding his identity. He now plans to do makeup for the weddings of fellow inmates, including one in his home state. “The happiness we all have right now is immense,” he added.
His release on 18 July was part of a delayed prisoner swap, not the legal victory his supporters had hoped for. Advocates warn he remains unsafe in Venezuela, the country he fled. US lawmakers, including Robert Garcia and Ritchie Torres, have called his deportation “cruel” and vowed to fight for his safety and return.
Yet, Hernández Romero remains hopeful. “There’s a Venezuelan here who loves the United States,” he said. “The time of God is perfect… this is a life purpose He gave us to see His greatness and view things differently”.
