El Salvador President Nayib Bukele has offered the US a unique deal: accept and deport any American criminal currently in his jails or those of international gangs MS-13 or Tren de Aragua, which are designated as foreign terrorist organizations.
According to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, this agreement is unprecedented and an act of “extraordinary friendship”. Bukele has also proposed a fee for the US to house convicted American criminals in El Salvador’s mega-prison.
The offer comes as part of President Trump’s “America First” policy, which includes plans for large-scale deportations. Critics argue that Bukele’s harsh anti-gang measures have led to civil rights issues and soaring incarceration rates in El Salvador.
Human rights groups have criticized the deal, with Latino advocacy group LULAC calling it a “sad day for America”. The State Department has also warned of poor prison conditions in El Salvador, citing inadequate sanitation, potable water, and ventilation.
Despite concerns, US efforts to boost influence in Latin America under Trump appear to be yielding results.
Source: https://www.axios.com/2025/02/04/rubio-us-el-salvador-bukele-jail-americans-immigrants