Welcome to a place of turmoil and punishment.
The United States has transported over 250 suspected migrant gang members to El Salvador, where they will be housed in a notorious mega-prison.
This group includes 238 individuals from the Venezuelan prison gang Tren de Aragua, as well as 23 members of MS-13, as mentioned by El Salvador’s President, Nayib Bukele, in a tweet on X.
Upon arrival, they were taken to the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT), where video footage depicted heavily armed Salvadoran commandos meeting the plane on the runway.
The chained migrant suspects were forcefully moved to armored prison vehicles by guards.
The prison has gained international notoriety for its harsh conditions. Inmates are compelled to work while behind bars, residing in overcrowded cells where rival gang members engage in deadly conflicts over basic necessities like food and water.
Bukele highlighted that among the accused Venezuelan gang members, 23 MS-13 members who are wanted in El Salvador were also transferred to the country, including two key figures.
“One of them holds a prominent position within the criminal organization,” Bukele remarked.
He further stated, “This move will aid us in concluding intelligence operations and pursuing the remaining elements of MS-13, including former and current members, as well as assets, weapons, narcotics, hideouts, collaborators, and sponsors.”
Bukele emphasized El Salvador’s commitment to combatting organized crime, while concurrently assisting allies, enhancing the self-sustainability of the prison system, and acquiring crucial intelligence to foster a safer environment within the nation, all through a unified effort.
“May God watch over El Salvador and the United States,” he concluded.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who orchestrated the agreement for El Salvador to host U.S. migrant offenders, expressed gratitude to Bukele for his support and camaraderie.
