U.S. Pays $6 Million to El Salvador for Detention of Venezuelan Gang Suspects
The Trump administration is paying $6 million to El Salvador to detain 238 Venezuelan gang suspects. This cost is deemed economical compared to housing them in U.S. prisons. El Salvador’s President Bukele emphasizes the significant burden this presents for his country. Trump has invoked the Alien Enemies Act to facilitate these deportations, framing it within his administration’s immigration strategies.
The Trump administration has agreed to pay El Salvador approximately $6 million for the detention of 238 Venezuelan gang suspects deported on a recent flight. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt noted that the cost represents a significant savings compared to housing these individuals in maximum security prisons in the US, which she described as “pennies on the dollar.”
Leavitt reinforced the administration’s stance by referring to a popular song, suggesting that while the suspects may not be returning home, they will no longer remain in the U.S. The deported individuals are linked to the Tren de Aragua, which was designated as a foreign terrorist organization by Trump last month.
El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele confirmed the transfer of the suspects to the Terrorism Confinement Center, where they will undergo a one-year detention period, renewable thereafter. Bukele remarked that although the financial cost to the U.S. is minimal, it represents a significant burden for El Salvador amid ongoing efforts to tackle crime.
For the first time since World War II, Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to facilitate the deportation. He expressed gratitude towards Bukele in his social media statement, attributing the situation to what he perceives as failures in leadership by the Democrats. Trump has also entertained the idea of relocating US-based criminals, suggesting a radical approach to dealing with domestic crime.
The U.S. is paying $6 million to El Salvador to detain Venezuelan gang suspects, presenting this agreement as financially advantageous when compared to domestic detention costs. This initiative aligns with Trump’s broader immigration policies and reflects ongoing challenges in addressing gang-related crime effectively. Bukele’s stringent measures against criminal organizations highlight the complex political and social responses to security threats.
Original Source: nypost.com
