According to Reuters, the United States is expected to pay El Salvador $6 million to detain 300 alleged members of the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang that it plans to deport to the Central American country for one year, as reported in an internal memo. The memo states, "El Salvador confirms it will house these individuals for one (1) year, pending the United States’ decision on their long-term disposition," the Foreign Ministry of El Salvador revealed. El Salvador's presidential office indicated that they are familiar with the public information available, while responses from the White House and Venezuela's Information Ministry are awaited by Reuters.
During a recent visit, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio hinted that the government aims to have "dangerous criminals" deported from the U.S. detained in Salvadoran prisons. This move, part of the Trump administration's strategy for mass deportations of migrants, includes agreements with third countries to accept their citizens.
Contrary to this plan, human rights organizations are against it, raising concerns over reports of abuse and deaths in El Salvador's custody. President Nayib Bukele has intensified an anti-gang campaign in the country, marked by large-scale trials and the construction of a "mega prison."
In recent events, the U.S. designated Tren de Aragua and other criminal groups in the region as entities supporting illegal activity. Analysts view this designation as having the potential to expose migrants who engage human traffickers to prosecution.
In a separate development on the same day, U.S. President Donald Trump issued a proclamation designating members of Tren de Aragua as "alien enemies" posing a threat to the United States' territory. According to the proclamation, Venezuelan citizens aged 14 and above affiliated with Tren de Aragua, residing in the U.S. without legal status, are deemed liable for detention and removal as Alien Enemies.