In a recent meeting with President Trump, El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele made headlines by refusing to repatriate a Maryland man who was mistakenly deported from the U.S. last month, igniting a legal conflict that has now reached the highest court in the nation. Bukele's defiance comes amidst mounting scrutiny over his government's track record of human rights abuses and efforts to consolidate power.
El Salvador's Bukele Defies U.S. Deportation Order Amid Legal Battle
El Salvador's Bukele Defies U.S. Deportation Order Amid Legal Battle
El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele firmly resists a U.S. deportation order despite a Supreme Court ruling mandating the return of an unjustly deported migrant.
During discussions at the White House, Bukele claimed, “How can I smuggle a terrorist into the United States? I don’t have the power,” as he stood beside Trump. This assertion has sparked disbelief among Latin American analysts, who argue that Bukele, known for orchestrating mass arrests and seizing judicial authority, possesses the capability to resolve the situation but lacks the interest to do so.
Legal experts emphasize that the April 2025 decision from a federal judge mandated the return of Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia to the U.S. This ruling was unanimously upheld by the Supreme Court last week, which has not deterred Bukele from aligning with Trump’s stringent deportation strategies. The Trump administration has framed deportees such as Abrego Garcia as affiliated with criminal gangs, insisting that once these individuals are sent back to sovereign nations like El Salvador, the U.S. loses its jurisdiction over them.
Critics, including Ana María Méndez Dardón from the Washington Office for Latin America, express concern over Bukele's apparent negligence towards human rights and democratic ideals. With the implications of his actions bearing heavy weight on U.S.-El Salvador relations, the situation remains a pivotal issue within the broader context of immigration policy and international law.
Legal experts emphasize that the April 2025 decision from a federal judge mandated the return of Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia to the U.S. This ruling was unanimously upheld by the Supreme Court last week, which has not deterred Bukele from aligning with Trump’s stringent deportation strategies. The Trump administration has framed deportees such as Abrego Garcia as affiliated with criminal gangs, insisting that once these individuals are sent back to sovereign nations like El Salvador, the U.S. loses its jurisdiction over them.
Critics, including Ana María Méndez Dardón from the Washington Office for Latin America, express concern over Bukele's apparent negligence towards human rights and democratic ideals. With the implications of his actions bearing heavy weight on U.S.-El Salvador relations, the situation remains a pivotal issue within the broader context of immigration policy and international law.
