CBS News is defending its decision to delay a 60 Minutes segment that focused on deportations carried out during the Trump administration. The report examined the removal of Venezuelan men to a high security prison in El Salvador and was pulled just before its scheduled broadcast.
The move has drawn heavy criticism, including from within CBS itself. The segment was removed after a last minute call by senior editor Bari Weiss, which led to concerns about editorial independence and political pressure.
The report was prepared by veteran correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi. According to a private message that later leaked to the media, Alfonsi described the decision as political in nature. Her comments added fuel to public debate over why the story was delayed after being fully promoted by the network.
CBS had already shared previews of the segment on social media, signaling it was ready to air. However, the network released a statement explaining that the piece required more reporting before it could be broadcast. Executives said the delay was due to the need for added context and missing perspectives.
The segment, titled Inside CECOT, focuses on allegations of harsh and abusive treatment inside El Salvador’s Terrorism Confinement Center. The facility has faced international attention for claims of extreme detention conditions, including physical mistreatment of inmates.
