First Tren de Aragua Gang Members Arrive in El Salvador After U.S. Deportation

238 members of the Tren de Aragua gang were deported to El Salvador, following a deal between U.S. and Salvadoran authorities. President Trump praised this action while criticizing Biden’s immigration policies. The Tren de Aragua gang, designated as a terrorist organization, has a wide-reaching criminal network and poses a significant threat.

The first group of accused members from the Tren de Aragua gang, which was banned by former President Donald Trump, has recently been transported to El Salvador’s notorious mega-jail. President Bukele announced the arrival of 238 purported gang members, who were swiftly placed into the maximum security Terrorism Confinement Center, following dramatic visuals shared on social media.

President Trump publicly endorsed the deportation, showcasing videos of the handcuffed individuals entering the prison. In his remarks on Truth Social, he criticized President Joe Biden for allowing alleged gangsters into the United States while expressing gratitude to President Bukele for addressing the situation. Trump remarked, “Thank you to El Salvador and, in particular, President Bukele, for your understanding of this horrible situation, which was allowed to happen to the United States due to incompetent Democrat leadership.”

These deportations occurred shortly after a U.S. District Judge temporarily halted the potential implementation of the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, which would have expelled gang members without a court process. Despite this, the White House determined that the flights transporting these individuals fell outside the scope of this ruling since they were en route to El Salvador at the time.

Following intense negotiations, the United States accepted an extraordinary offer from El Salvador to accommodate some of its most dangerous criminals in its own mega-jails. Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised the agreement as “the most unprecedented, extraordinary, migratory agreement anywhere in the world.” Bukele confirmed that his country would only accept convicted criminals for a relatively low fee for each individual.

The Tren de Aragua gang, identified as a transnational criminal organization and a U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization, has gained notoriety for its significant criminal activities. Estimated to have over 5,000 members, this gang reportedly generates millions in illegal profits through drug smuggling and gold mining operations. Originally formed as a prison gang, its influence expanded beyond prison walls under the leadership of Hector Guerrero Flores, who has been evading capture since a 2023 raid by Venezuelan authorities.

In summary, the deportation of members of the Tren de Aragua gang to El Salvador represents a significant step in addressing transnational crime. The collaboration between the United States and El Salvador emphasizes the need for international cooperation in combating criminal organizations. Furthermore, the situation highlights ongoing tensions in U.S. immigration policy and the complexities of managing dangerous criminal elements.

Original Source: www.thesun.co.uk