WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration has agreed to pay El Salvador $6 million to house around 300 alleged members of the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang for one year. This is a significant move as it marks one of the first instances of El Salvador taking migrants back from the U.S.
Discussions about this deal took place between El Salvador’s President, Nayib Bukele, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Bukele’s government has been cracking down on gang violence since 2022, resulting in over 84,000 arrests, many without due process.
However, details on how the U.S. identified these individuals as gang members remain vague. Bukele’s administration confirmed in a memo that they would hold these individuals for one year, pending the U.S.’s decisions about their future.
The plan isn’t limited to just the Tren de Aragua members. The agreement also includes taking two men linked to the notorious MS-13 gang, which originated with Salvadoran migrants in the U.S. and has gained influence in El Salvador. One of the men, Cesar Eliseo Sorto Amaya, was convicted of double homicide in El Salvador. The other has been labeled a high-ranking leader within MS-13 under the Biden administration.
The cost to house each prisoner is about $20,000 for the year. In addition, the State Department plans to allocate around $15 million to assist El Salvador in accommodating more gang members.
This strategy of outsourcing detention comes amid rising concerns over gang violence affecting not just Central America but also communities in the United States. Those following the situation argue that while short-term solutions may ease some pressure, they don’t address the underlying issues causing migration and crime.
Expert Insight:
Dr. Ana Martínez, a regional security analyst, mentioned, "Moving gang members back to their home countries without tackling the root causes of violence won’t solve the problem. It’s a complex issue that requires comprehensive social and economic policies."
Recent Context:
Statistics show that gang violence has notably increased in Central America. A recent survey indicated that over 60% of Salvadorans fear crime daily. Yet, as governments implement strict measures, human rights concerns also rise, especially regarding due process and treatment of detainees.
For more on the situation in El Salvador, you can read additional coverage from Reuters.
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Source linkDonald Trump, El Salvador, Nayib Bukele, Marco Rubio, Joe Biden, United States government, General news, United States, AP Top News, Washington news, Legal proceedings, United States Congress, Immigration, Politics, World news, Cesar Eliseo, World News
