El Salvador has agreed to take in hundreds of Venezuelan gang members who were living illegally in the United States, despite a U.S. judge's attempt to stop deportations under a wartime law used by former President Donald Trump. El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele announced that 238 members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua have been transferred to the country's Terrorism Confinement Center, known as CECOT, for at least a year. Additionally, the U.S. has sent over 23 members of the MS-13 gang, including two top leaders, to face justice in El Salvador.
Tren de Aragua has been active in U.S. states like Colorado and Texas, while MS-13, originally from Los Angeles, has strong connections to El Salvador and operates in states such as California and Maryland. Both gangs were recently labeled as foreign terrorist organizations by the U.S. State Department.
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio praised President Bukele for his cooperation, describing him as a strong security leader and a valuable ally to the United States. The deportations come amid a legal challenge, as U.S. District Judge James Boasberg ordered the Trump administration to stop using the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to deport these individuals. This act has been used in past conflicts like the War of 1812 and World Wars I and II.
Despite the judge's order, the deportation flights reached El Salvador, prompting a lighthearted response from Bukele. He had previously offered to accept deported individuals of any nationality, suggesting they be housed in El Salvador's prison system, which is known for its strict conditions and lack of visitor access.
CECOT, capable of holding 40,000 inmates, was constructed to manage gang-related violence in a country that once had one of the highest murder rates globally. The prison system aims to be self-sustaining, with inmates participating in various work programs. President Bukele emphasized that these efforts not only combat organized crime but also strengthen ties with allies and enhance national security.
The developments are part of a broader strategy to tackle crime and improve safety in El Salvador, while also supporting U.S. efforts against criminal organizations.