The first group of 238 alleged Tren de Aragua gang members, deported by the U.S., arrived in El Salvador’s mega-jail due to an agreement with former President Trump. This action has drawn criticism of President Biden and highlights a significant collaboration between the U.S. and El Salvador in tackling transnational crime.
Recently, the first group of alleged members of the Tren de Aragua gang, deported under a directive from former President Donald Trump, arrived at a high-security facility in El Salvador. This group, comprised of 238 individuals connected to a notorious Venezuelan criminal organization, drew attention as they were escorted by armed police to a mega-jail designed for hardened offenders. El Salvador’s President, Nayib Bukele, confirmed these deportations through social media, showcasing the dramatic arrival of the group at the Terrorism Confinement Center.
President Trump shared and endorsed videos of the deported individuals on Truth Social, criticizing President Biden for allegedly permitting the inflow of such criminals into the United States. He expressed gratitude towards President Bukele for cooperating in this enforcement action against crime, referring to the situation that unfolded as a result of what he termed “incompetent Democrat leadership.” Trump’s administration previously executed a similar action by deporting 23 members of the MS-13 gang in a concerted effort to combat gang violence.
These recent mass deportations occurred following a temporary judicial block against the administration’s application of the Alien Enemies Act, which would have expelled the alleged criminals without judicial proceedings. Trump’s team maintained that the judge’s ruling did not affect the flights because they departed before the injunction took place, allowing them to continue unhindered.
El Salvador’s acceptance of dangerous criminals into its prisons stems from an extraordinary agreement between the U.S. and El Salvador, allowing the incarceration of U.S. deportees in Salvadoran prisons. Secretary of State Marco Rubio hailed the accord as groundbreaking, stating that it represented the most “unprecedented, extraordinary, migratory agreement anywhere in the world.” Bukele affirmed that his country would only accept convicted criminals while proposing a modest fee for the transfers.
The Tren de Aragua gang, labeled as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the United States, is noted for its transnational criminal activities, boasting an estimated membership of over 5,000. Originally a prison gang, it has expanded its operations to include drug trafficking and illegal mining. Its leader, Hector Guerrero Flores, remains at large after evading capture during a government raid aimed at regaining control of a prison notorious for criminal activity.
In summary, the recent deportation of alleged members of the Tren de Aragua gang to El Salvador marks a significant development in international efforts to combat transnational crime. The collaboration between the U.S. and El Salvador, highlighted by agreements for the deportation and incarceration of dangerous criminals, underscores a proactive approach to addressing gang-related threats. The mixed responses to these actions reflect the broader challenges faced in managing immigration and criminal justice on an international scale.
Original Source: www.thesun.co.uk
