By Charles Switzer
3:02am PDT, Mar 19, 2025
Trump Administration Pays El Salvador to Jail Venezuelan Gang Suspects
The
Donald Trump administration reportedly agreed to pay El Salvador approximately $6 million to house 238 Venezuelan gang suspects deported on Sunday, March 16.
This arrangement translates to about $25,000 per detainee, which the White House emphasized as a cost-effective alternative to incarcerating them in the United States. Press Secretary
Karoline Leavitt framed the move as a win for taxpayers, highlighting that it represents a 43 percent discount compared to average U.S. prison costs.
Here's what happened…
MORE:
Follow Wonderwall on MSN for more top news
Federal Judge's Attempt to Halt Deportations
As the deportees' flight neared its destination, a federal judge attempted to order the plane's return to the U.S. with the suspects on board.
However, the Donald Trump administration disregarded the legal intervention, allowing the
deportation to proceed. The individuals in question are allegedly linked to Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan criminal syndicate that Trump recently classified as a foreign terrorist organization.
Bukele's Role in Detaining Deportees
El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele confirmed that the Venezuelan suspects were immediately taken to CECOT, the country's high-security Terrorism Confinement Center, for a minimum of one year, with the possibility of renewal.
Bukele, who has gained a reputation for his hardline approach to criminal justice, shared footage of the detainees being transferred from the U.S. plane to Salvadoran custody.
He acknowledged that while the U.S. is paying a "very low fee," the cost to El Salvador is significant.
Trump Praises Bukele and Blames Biden for 'Monsters' Entering the U.S.
President Donald Trump took to Truth Social to express gratitude toward Nayib Bukele, stating that the alleged criminals were allowed into the country due to "crooked
Joe Biden and the Radical Left Democrats."
He called the suspects "monsters" and promised that the U.S. would not forget El Salvador's cooperation. Trump's praise for Bukele comes as the Salvadoran leader continues his controversial crackdown on crime, which has led to mass incarcerations in his country.
Trump's Deportation Vision Extends to U.S. Citizens
Beyond foreign criminals, Donald Trump has floated the idea of deporting American citizens if legally feasible. He has specifically suggested sending individuals convicted of violent crimes, such as New York subway attackers, to countries like El Salvador.
While such a proposal would face serious legal challenges, it signals Trump's willingness to push the boundaries on immigration and criminal justice policy.
