US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to meet with Salvadorean president Nayib Bukele to discuss the potential deportation of suspected Tren de Aragua gang members to El Salvador. This initiative was revealed by State Department special envoy for Latin America, Mauricio Claver-Carone.
Claver-Carone mentioned that a new agreement is being considered, which could involve allowing Tren de Aragua members to return to Venezuela instead of being incarcerated alongside Salvadorean gangs like MS-13. The upcoming meeting aims to explore this possibility and seek President Bukele's assistance in the matter.
President Bukele has been praised for his efforts in enhancing security within El Salvador since assuming office in 2019. His administration has implemented a rigorous crackdown on crime, resulting in the detention of numerous individuals suspected of gang affiliation.
El Salvador, once plagued by one of the highest murder rates globally, has witnessed a significant decline in violent crime under Bukele's leadership. Government statistics indicate that the country now records fewer murders than the United States. However, concerns have been raised by human rights activists regarding the broad scope of the government's security measures. Critics argue that recent legislation introduced as part of the crackdown allows law enforcement to detain individuals without substantial evidence.
Last year, El Salvador inaugurated a controversial maximum security facility, the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT), specifically designed to house alleged gang members. The center has been a focal point of debate surrounding the country's approach to combating organized crime.
Secretary Rubio is scheduled to commence his tour of Central America this weekend, with a planned visit to San Salvador on Monday. The discussions between Rubio and President Bukele are anticipated to address various security-related issues and potential collaborations between the two nations.
