In a groundbreaking agreement announced Monday, El Salvador has offered to house violent U.S. criminals and accept deportees of any nationality, a move that has sparked alarm among critics and rights groups. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio revealed the deal after meeting with Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, framing it as an "extraordinary act of friendship" that addresses migration challenges.
Under the agreement, El Salvador will continue accepting Salvadoran deportees and also take in non-Salvadoran criminals, including members of notorious gangs like MS-13 and Tren de Aragua. Bukele confirmed the deal on social media, stating that convicted criminals, including U.S. citizens, could be housed in El Salvador’s mega-prison, CECOT, in exchange for a fee.
The proposal has raised legal and ethical concerns, with critics questioning its compliance with international laws and human rights standards. Advocacy groups like LULAC condemned the plan, calling it inhumane and a violation of migrants' rights. Meanwhile, experts warned that the deal reflects a transactional relationship between two populist leaders, potentially undermining democratic norms.
Inside El Salvador prisons. How many strikes until you get a trip to El Salvador? pic.twitter.com/txKuKld1LZ
— Shepherd of Knowledge (@ShepOfKnowledge) February 4, 2025
El Salvador’s harsh prison conditions and broad anti-gang policies, which have led to mass incarcerations under a state of emergency, have drawn both praise and criticism. While Bukele’s crackdown has earned admiration from the Trump administration, human rights organizations argue that many detainees are innocent and lack due process.
The agreement aligns with the Trump administration’s broader immigration crackdown, which includes revoking protections for Venezuelan migrants and pressuring countries to accept deportees. The deal also highlights the administration’s focus on combating transnational gangs, with Trump recently signing an executive order targeting MS-13 and Tren de Aragua as threats to regional stability.
As debates over the legality and morality of the agreement continue, the deal marks a significant shift in U.S.-El Salvador relations and raises questions about the future of migration policies in the region.
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