US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed gratitude for the proposal during a meeting with El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele, highlighting efforts to combat gang violence despite criticism from human rights advocates.
El Salvador Proposes to Accept US Criminals and Migrants for Deportation
El Salvador Proposes to Accept US Criminals and Migrants for Deportation
In a surprising diplomatic overture, El Salvador's government has offered to house dangerous criminals from American jails, alongside accepting deported migrants.
El Salvador has extended a controversial offer to the United States, proposing to accept "dangerous criminals" currently incarcerated in American prisons, including US citizens, according to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The announcement came following Rubio's meeting with El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele at Lake Coatepeque during his inaugural overseas diplomatic trip.
Rubio emphasized the unprecedented nature of this offer, stating, "We are profoundly grateful," in reference to Bukele's willingness to assist. Alongside accepting dangerous inmates, El Salvador is also prepared to deport migrants from any nationality who are undocumented and engaged in criminality within the United States.
Rubio praised Bukele's stringent policies on gang-related violence that have significantly lowered crime rates, transforming El Salvador from a murder hotspot to a considerably safer environment. These policies, however, have drawn concern from human rights organizations.
The Secretary mentioned that Bukele had indicated a readiness to repatriate Salvadoran citizens and accept non-citizen migrants, with a particular focus on notorious gang members, such as those from MS-13 or Tren de Aragua. This strategy aligns with President Donald Trump's aggressive stance on expediting the expulsion of unauthorized migrants.
In a move reminiscent of a previous arrangement from 2019, Bukele hinted at further expanding this approach, suggesting a model to "outsource part of [the US] prison system." He stated on social media that the country would accept only convicted criminals into its facilities in exchange for financial compensation.
Bukele, who previously served as the mayor of San Salvador, rose to power in 2019 vowing to implement sweeping reforms to combat corruption and gang violence while improving relations with the United States. His popularity surged after successful crackdowns, but these measures have led to the arrest of approximately 75,000 individuals, raising alarm among human rights advocates who claim that state violence is merely replacing gang violence.
The situation continues to evolve as both nations navigate the implications of this extraordinary offer as well as the broader context of immigration and security in the region.
Rubio emphasized the unprecedented nature of this offer, stating, "We are profoundly grateful," in reference to Bukele's willingness to assist. Alongside accepting dangerous inmates, El Salvador is also prepared to deport migrants from any nationality who are undocumented and engaged in criminality within the United States.
Rubio praised Bukele's stringent policies on gang-related violence that have significantly lowered crime rates, transforming El Salvador from a murder hotspot to a considerably safer environment. These policies, however, have drawn concern from human rights organizations.
The Secretary mentioned that Bukele had indicated a readiness to repatriate Salvadoran citizens and accept non-citizen migrants, with a particular focus on notorious gang members, such as those from MS-13 or Tren de Aragua. This strategy aligns with President Donald Trump's aggressive stance on expediting the expulsion of unauthorized migrants.
In a move reminiscent of a previous arrangement from 2019, Bukele hinted at further expanding this approach, suggesting a model to "outsource part of [the US] prison system." He stated on social media that the country would accept only convicted criminals into its facilities in exchange for financial compensation.
Bukele, who previously served as the mayor of San Salvador, rose to power in 2019 vowing to implement sweeping reforms to combat corruption and gang violence while improving relations with the United States. His popularity surged after successful crackdowns, but these measures have led to the arrest of approximately 75,000 individuals, raising alarm among human rights advocates who claim that state violence is merely replacing gang violence.
The situation continues to evolve as both nations navigate the implications of this extraordinary offer as well as the broader context of immigration and security in the region.
