San Salvador (TDI): El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele announced on Sunday the arrival of 238 members of the Venezuelan criminal organization, Tren de Aragua, who were deported from the United States.
These individuals were immediately transferred to El Salvador’s Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) for a period of one year, with the possibility of renewal.
This action is part of a collaborative effort between the US and El Salvador to combat organized crime.
The US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, acknowledged El Salvador’s commitment to detaining these individuals at a fair cost, noting that this arrangement also conserves US taxpayer funds.
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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).
The United States will pay a very low fee for them,… pic.twitter.com/tfsi8cgpD6
— Nayib Bukele (@nayibbukele) March 16, 2025
Both Bukele and Rubio said the US had also sent 23 members of the Salvadoran gang MS-13 to El Salvador.
We have sent 2 dangerous top MS-13 leaders plus 21 of its most wanted back to face justice in El Salvador. Also, as promised by @POTUS, we sent over 250 alien enemy members of Tren de Aragua which El Salvador has agreed to hold in their very good jails at a fair price that will…
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) March 16, 2025
The deportation process has faced legal challenges. A US federal judge issued a temporary restraining order blocking the deportations under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, questioning the legality of using this wartime law for such purposes.
Despite this, the deportations proceeded, leading to criticism from various human rights organizations.
The Tren de Aragua gang, originating from Venezuela, has been involved in various criminal activities across multiple countries, including the United States.
The US government designated this group as a terrorist organization in February 2025, citing its threat to national security.
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El Salvador’s acceptance of these detainees underscores the nation’s role in regional security efforts and its cooperation with the United States in addressing transnational criminal organizations.
US Deportations of Tren de Aragua Members to El Salvador Amid Legal Controversies.
Areeba Kanwal is a contributor at The Diplomatic Insight and has passion for International Relations and diplomacy.
