U.S. Allocates $6 Million to Detain Venezuelan Gang Suspects in El Salvador

The Trump administration is paying about $6 million to El Salvador to detain 238 Venezuelan gang suspects deported recently. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated this cost is minimal compared to U.S. detention expenses. The suspects are linked to the Tren de Aragua gang, classified as terrorists. El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele confirmed their transfer to a confinement center. Trump invoked a historic deportation law, expressing gratitude toward Bukele for cooperation in addressing crime.

The Trump administration is allocating approximately $6 million to El Salvador for the incarceration of 238 Venezuelan gang suspects deported on Sunday. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt noted, “It was approximately $6 million to El Salvador for the detention of these foreign terrorists.” She emphasized that this cost is minimal compared to the financial burden of housing such individuals in U.S. maximum-security prisons.

In a lighter tone, Leavitt referenced the song “Closing Time,” stating, “the Venezuelans don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here.” The deportees are believed to be affiliated with the Tren de Aragua criminal organization, which was recently designated as a foreign terrorist entity by President Trump. A federal judge had issued an order for the deportation flight to return to the U.S.

Upon arrival in El Salvador, President Nayib Bukele reported on X that the suspects were sent to the Terrorism Confinement Center for an initial year, which may be extended. He mentioned that while the U.S. pays a relatively low fee for these detainees, it poses a significant financial burden on El Salvador due to their ongoing crackdown on crime, especially concerning gangs like MS-13.

President Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 for this deportation, marking its first implementation since World War II. On Truth Social, he thanked President Bukele for his cooperation, criticizing the current administration’s policies and linking them to an influx of crime. He speculated about the possibility of deporting U.S. citizens, using examples of criminals from New York as potential candidates for extraterritorial punishment.

In summary, the U.S. government’s financial support to El Salvador for the detention of Venezuelan gang suspects underscores a strategic approach to handling foreign crime. The arrangement reflects cost-effective measures to manage perceived threats without overburdening domestic resources. President Trump’s actions and rhetoric highlight ongoing tensions related to immigration and domestic safety, emphasizing a commitment to international collaboration in criminal justice matters.

Original Source: nypost.com