By Belize Live News Staff: In a controversial move, El Salvador has offered to take in deported criminals from the United States, including those with US citizenship, and house them in its high-security mega-prison, Cecot. The proposal was made by Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele during a meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who expressed profound gratitude for what he called an unprecedented offer of friendship.
Bukele, known for his iron-fist approach to crime, described the deal as an opportunity for the US to “outsource part of its prison system.” He later confirmed on social media that El Salvador would accept only convicted criminals, including US citizens, in exchange for a fee. Bukele emphasized that while the cost to the US would be relatively low, it would be significant for El Salvador, making the prison system self-sustaining.
During his press conference, Rubio elaborated that El Salvador would take in criminals from any nationality, including members of notorious transnational gangs such as MS-13 and Tren de Aragua. The offer aligns with Bukele’s ongoing crackdown on organized crime, which has seen tens of thousands of gang members arrested under emergency powers.
El Salvador’s CECOT (Terrorism Confinement Centre) has been a controversial symbol of Bukele’s anti-crime policies. The maximum-security facility, capable of holding up to 40,000 inmates, is known for its strict conditions, including windowless cells where large numbers of inmates are packed together. Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have criticized the prison’s conditions, calling it a gradual replacement of gang violence with state violence.
However, Bukele has dismissed such criticisms, pointing to his overwhelming re-election victory with 84% of the vote, a sign that most Salvadorans support his tough-on-crime policies. Many citizens say they are experiencing safety and freedom from gang extortion for the first time in years.
The proposal comes as the US increases its efforts to deport undocumented migrants and criminals, following President Donald Trump’s commitment to “mass deportations.” The deal with El Salvador could ease overcrowding in US prisons while reinforcing Bukele’s reputation as a strongman leader willing to take on crime head-on.
Rubio’s visit to El Salvador was part of his first official overseas tour, which also included Panama, Costa Rica, and Guatemala. His discussions have focused on migration policies and countering China’s growing influence in Latin America.
While the details of the prison outsourcing deal remain under negotiation, the proposal is already raising questions about the ethical and legal implications of housing US citizens in a foreign prison system. As El Salvador’s mega-jail becomes a potential destination for deported criminals, the world is watching to see how this controversial agreement unfolds.
This is a developing story. Stay tuned for updates.
