A group of 238 individuals associated with the Tren de Aragua gang has been deported to El Salvador, where they will be detained in a maximum security prison. Former President Trump praised this action and criticized the current U.S. administration for its handling of gang-related issues. The Tren de Aragua, a transnational criminal organization based in Venezuela, is known for significant illegal activities.
The first group of individuals alleged to be members of the Tren de Aragua gang, recently deported under directives from former President Donald Trump, has arrived in El Salvador. These individuals were transported to the nation’s notorious mega-prison, known for its extraordinary security measures. According to El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele, a total of 238 members of this Venezuelan criminal organization were returned to the country, marking a significant development in the ongoing conflict against gang-related violence.
President Bukele announced the arrival of these individuals on the social media platform X, sharing videos that depicted their apprehensive reception upon landing in El Salvador. Following their arrival, these suspects were swiftly placed under the custody of the country’s Terrorism Confinement Center, which can accommodate 40,000 inmates. This significant enforcement measure underlines the El Salvadoran government’s commitment to addressing crime within its borders.
In a statement on Truth Social, Trump expressed his gratitude to President Bukele, while simultaneously criticizing the current U.S. administration led by President Joe Biden for allowing members of the Tren de Aragua gang to enter the United States. Trump stated, “These are the monsters sent into our Country by Crooked Joe Biden and the Radical Left Democrats. How dare they!” He conveyed his appreciation to El Salvador for its proactive stance in mitigating this situation.
Trump previously oversaw the deportation of 23 members from the Salvadoran MS-13 gang, as part of a broader strategy to manage gang violence. This move occurred shortly after a U.S. District Judge temporarily halted the invocation of the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, aimed at expediting removals without legal proceedings. The White House indicated that the flight operations for the deportations were unaffected by the ruling.
In a new agreement, the U.S. will now deport certain criminals, regardless of nationality, to El Salvador to serve their sentences in the nation’s prisons. Secretary of State Marco Rubio remarked on the significance of this arrangement, labeling it as an extraordinary migratory agreement. He noted President Bukele’s willingness to accept dangerous criminals currently imprisoned in the United States, thereby enhancing collaboration between the two nations.
The Tren de Aragua gang, identified as a transnational criminal organization and designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the U.S., boasts an estimated 5,000 members. Initially emerging as a prison gang, it evolved into a significant criminal entity involved in drug trafficking and illegal mining operations. The group’s initial leader, Hector Guerrero Flores, has been in hiding since 2023 after a government crackdown in the Tocorón Prison, which had become a hub for organized crime.
The deportation of alleged Tren de Aragua gang members to El Salvador illustrates a notable collaboration aimed at combating organized crime. President Bukele’s administration is actively addressing this issue through strict enforcement measures in their prisons. The U.S.-El Salvador agreement further highlights a strategic approach to managing crime at a transnational level, with implications for both nations in terms of safety and security.
Original Source: www.thesun.co.uk
