In a bold move to combat transnational crime, El Salvador President Nayib Bukele has announced that his country has officially accepted 238 members of the notorious Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua, from the United States.
The transfer comes as part of a high-stakes agreement between Bukele’s government and the Trump administration to extradite criminal illegal immigrants who infiltrated the U.S.
Bukele: “The U.S. Will Pay a High Price”
Bukele revealed that the gang members have been immediately locked away in El Salvador’s Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) for at least one year—renewable if necessary.
“Today, the first 238 members of the Venezuelan criminal organization, Tren de Aragua, arrived in our country. They were immediately transferred to CECOT, the Terrorism Confinement Center, for a period of one year (renewable),” Bukele declared.
He also emphasized the financial aspect of the deal, stating:
“The United States will pay a very low fee for them, but a high one for us.”
Additionally, as part of the agreement, the U.S. deported 23 MS-13 gang members wanted by Salvadoran authorities—including two ringleaders from the organization’s highest structure.
Trump’s Aggressive Stance on Criminal Deportations
This move aligns with the Trump administration’s hardline stance on illegal immigration and gang-related crime. By removing dangerous criminals from American soil and ensuring they are dealt with in El Salvador’s notorious high-security prisons, Trump is doubling down on law and order.
Meanwhile, critics argue that Democratic leaders and open-border policies have allowed these criminals to flourish within the U.S. before action was finally taken.
