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The president Donald Trump may be negotiating with the president of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele, an agreement that would allow the United States to deport immigrants from third countries to Salvadoran territory.
U.S. officials informed CBS News on Sunday, January 26, 2025, that this plan is a potential "Safe Third Country" agreement for immigrants who will not be able to apply for asylum in the United States.
According to reports, the proposal could be specifically designed to facilitate the deportation of Venezuelan citizens, thus avoiding the diplomatic issue posed by the refusal of Nicolás Maduro's government to accept repatriations from the United States.
Among the most controversial aspects of the plan is the intention to include alleged members of the criminal gang Tren de Aragua, originally from Venezuela, whom Trump will designate as a "terrorist organization."
So far, it is unclear what status the migrants deported to El Salvador will have, although it is expected that gang members could go directly to the country's prisons.
During his 2024 electoral campaign, Trump pointed to this organization as responsible for various crimes against Americans, reinforcing his promise to take strong action against transnational gangs.
The White House promoted a similar agreement with El Salvador during Trump's first term, but it never materialized and was discarded by the Joe Biden administration. Now Trump seems determined to revive such strategies, with a renewed focus on stopping illegal immigration and combating organized crime.
On Friday, the United States Embassy in El Salvador confirmed that Trump and Bukele have held official discussions on these topics.
"President Donald J. Trump held a call with President Nayib Bukele of the Republic of El Salvador. The two leaders discussed working together to stop irregular migration and take strong action against transnational gangs such as the Tren de Aragua. President Trump also praised President Bukele's leadership in the region and the example he sets for other nations in the Western Hemisphere," says the official statement.
The Cuban-American Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar praised the discussions between the two presidents and affirmed that El Salvador is a great ally of the United States in this new term of Trump.
In line with this strategy, Secretary of State Marco Rubio will begin his first international tour next week, which includes a visit to El Salvador and three other Latin American countries. The trip aims to strengthen regional alliances and advance the topics discussed between Trump and Bukele.
Frequently Asked Questions about the negotiations between Donald Trump and Nayib Bukele regarding the deportation of immigrants
What does the "Third Safe Country" agreement between the United States and El Salvador entail?
The "Safe Third Country" agreement would allow the United States to deport immigrants from third countries to El Salvador, where they would apply for asylum instead of doing so on U.S. territory. This type of agreement aims to alleviate the migration burden in the U.S. and redistribute asylum requests to other nations.
Why is Donald Trump interested in deporting Venezuelan immigrants through El Salvador?
Trump's intention to deport Venezuelan immigrants through El Salvador is a response to the refusal of Nicolás Maduro's government to accept repatriations from the U.S. The agreement would facilitate these deportations while avoiding Venezuelan territory directly, and it also aims to designate criminal groups such as the Tren de Aragua as terrorists, thereby strengthening measures against organized crime.
How have the authorities in El Salvador reacted to Trump's deportation proposal?
President Nayib Bukele has held discussions with Donald Trump on the topic, and he has been praised for his leadership in the region, suggesting a willingness to cooperate on joint measures to stop irregular migration and combat gangs like Tren de Aragua. However, specific details of the agreement have not yet been confirmed.
What impact could this agreement have on diplomatic relations between the United States and Latin America?
The agreement could create diplomatic tensions in the region, especially with countries that do not agree to receive deportees from third countries. Additionally, the designation of groups such as the Tren de Aragua as terrorists could complicate relations with Venezuela and other countries that have ties to these groups.
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