El Salvador takes in hundreds of Venezuelan gang members from US, even as judge moves to block deportations

El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele recently made a bold move by accepting hundreds of Venezuelan gang members who were illegally living in the United States. This decision came as a U.S. judge blocked deportations of illegal immigrants under a wartime law invoked by President Donald Trump. The gang members, belonging to the Venezuelan criminal organization Tren de Aragua, were immediately transferred to the Terrorism Confinement Center in El Salvador for a period of one year, with the possibility of renewal.

In addition to the Venezuelan gang members, the U.S. also sent 23 MS-13 members wanted by Salvadoran justice, including two ringleaders. MS-13 is a notorious gang with ties to El Salvador that has spread its influence across states like California and Maryland. Both Tren de Aragua and MS-13 were designated as foreign terrorist organizations by the State Department last month.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised President Bukele for his strong stance on security and for accepting these criminal illegal aliens. Rubio highlighted the deportation of 2 dangerous MS-13 leaders and 21 other members back to El Salvador. He also commended Bukele for agreeing to hold the Tren de Aragua members in their prisons at a fair price, which will save taxpayer dollars.

Meanwhile, U.S. District Judge James Boasberg ordered the Trump administration to halt deportations of illegal immigrants under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. This act allows for the deportation of natives and citizens of an enemy nation without a hearing, and has been invoked during previous wars. Despite the order, the planes carrying the gang members arrived in El Salvador over the weekend.

President Bukele had previously offered to take in illegal immigrants facing deportation from the U.S., regardless of their nationality. He suggested housing them in El Salvador’s notorious CECOT prison, which is known for its strict security measures and lack of communication with the outside world. Bukele sees this as an opportunity to make the prison system self-sustainable and enhance the country’s security efforts.

Overall, the decision to accept these gang members is part of El Salvador’s ongoing fight against organized crime. By collaborating with allies like the U.S. and making their prison system self-sustainable, President Bukele aims to create a safer environment for his country. This move has received mixed reactions but is seen as a strategic step towards strengthening security and intelligence operations in the region.