Member of the Venezuelan criminal organization upon his arrival in El Salvador on March 16, 2025. (Photo: AFP)
VIDEO - Over 200 Venezuelan gang members deported from US arrive in El Salvador
El Salvador's president announced Sunday that the United States had deported over 200 suspected members of a Venezuelan gang to the country, where they were transferred to a high-security prison.
On Friday, US President Donald Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to expedite the deportation of alleged members of Tren de Aragua, a criminal organization linked to kidnapping, extortion, organized crime, and contract killings.
A federal judge in Washington, D.C., halted the law’s enforcement for 14 days the next day.
El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele stated on Platform X that 238 suspected gang members had arrived and were taken to the Terrorist Confinement Center, a massive prison designed to hold up to 40,000 inmates. They will remain there for one year, with possible extensions.
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).
— Nayib Bukele (@nayibbukele) March 16, 2025
The United States will pay a very low fee for them,… pic.twitter.com/tfsi8cgpD6
The exact timing of their departure from the US and arrival in El Salvador remains unclear. However, Bukele's post on X suggested that the operation was already underway before the US court ruling. Responding to the judge’s decision, Bukele commented, "Too late."
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on X that over 250 members of Tren de Aragua had been sent to El Salvador.
The US Departments of Homeland Security and State, as well as the Salvadoran government, have yet to respond to requests for comment.
Meanwhile, the Venezuelan government condemned the use of what it called an "inappropriate" American law to deport the suspected gang members, arguing that it violated migrant rights.
The Associated Press reported Saturday that the US agreed to pay El Salvador $6 million to detain 300 alleged members of Tren de Aragua for one year.
The Alien Enemies Act allows the Trump administration to bypass due process for migrants deemed a threat and expedite their removal.
On Saturday, the administration filed an appeal against the judge’s ruling in the US Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.
Trump later posted on Instagram, saying, "These are the monsters that crooked Joe Biden and the radical left Democrats sent into our country. How dare they! Thank you to El Salvador, especially President Bukele, for understanding this horrific situation allowed to happen under incompetent Democrat leadership. We won’t forget!"
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