The Trump administration has agreed to pay El Salvador $6 million for the detention of 238 Venezuelan gang suspects. This financial arrangement is viewed as cost-effective compared to the expense of their incarceration in U.S. facilities. The deportees are linked to a designated terrorist organization, and President Nayib Bukele has committed to their confinement under strict measures. Trump criticized current U.S. leadership regarding this issue and expressed gratitude toward Bukele for his cooperation.
The Trump administration has allocated approximately $6 million to El Salvador for the detention of 238 Venezuelan gang suspects who were deported recently. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized that this amount is minimal when contrasted with the potential costs of housing these individuals in U.S. maximum-security prisons.
Leavitt remarked on the deportees, referencing a popular song lyric, suggesting they do not need to return home but cannot remain in the U.S. The suspects are believed to have ties to the Tren de Aragua, a criminal organization designated as a foreign terrorist group last month by Trump.
El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele confirmed the transfer of the suspects to the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) for an initial period of one year, subject to renewal. Bukele noted the low financial burden on the U.S. but indicated a significant cost for El Salvador related to their imprisonment.
Trump utilized the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 for the first time since World War II to facilitate these deportations, thanking Bukele for his cooperation. He criticized current U.S. leadership, attributing the situation to inadequate management by Democrats. In a provocative statement, he suggested the possibility of deporting American criminals to nations like El Salvador, underscoring his administration’s tough stance on crime.
In summary, the U.S. government’s financial agreement with El Salvador reflects a strategic approach to handling Venezuelan gang suspects. While the dollar amount appears low, it brings to light broader concerns regarding crime and national security. The deportation aligns with Trump’s assertive immigration policies and marks a historic legislative action under the Alien Enemies Act. The collaboration between Trump and Bukele emphasizes a united front against gang-related violence.
Original Source: nypost.com