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The president of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele, announced this Tuesday that his government has offered the United States the possibility of outsourcing part of its penitentiary system, accepting convicted criminals, including American citizens, at the Counter-Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT), in exchange for a fee.
On his X account, Bukele detailed the proposal: “We have offered the United States of America the opportunity to outsource part of its prison system. We are willing to admit only convicted criminals (including convicted American citizens) to our mega prison (CECOT) in exchange for a fee.”
He also explained that "the rate would be relatively low for the United States, but significant for us and would ensure the sustainability of our entire penitentiary system."
The television network CNN reported on its X profile that it obtained exclusive and rare access to the interior of the Cecot prison in El Salvador, where some of the most notorious gang members in the country are held.
In his report, journalist David Culver toured the controversial high-security facility alongside prison officials and captured firsthand accounts from the inmates.
Rubio highlights the impact on U.S. security.
For his part, the U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, termed the meeting with Bukele as "very productive" and highlighted the significance of his proposal.
Rubio expressed on his X account: "Very productive meeting with the Salvadoran president. His commitment to accept and imprison criminals from any country, including those from violent gangs such as MS-13 and Tren de Aragua, will make the United States a safer country."
"In an extraordinary gesture never before offered by any country, President Bukele offered to house dangerous American criminals in his prisons, including U.S. citizens and legal residents," Rubio emphasized, who visited El Salvador during his tour of several nations in Latin America.
In addition to addressing security issues, Rubio also announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding on strategic civil nuclear cooperation with El Salvador's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alexandra Hill Tinoco.
Through X, Rubio stated: “During my stay in El Salvador, I signed a memorandum of understanding on strategic civil nuclear cooperation with Minister of Foreign Affairs Alexandra Hill Tinoco. This memorandum of understanding strengthens the bilateral relationship between the United States and El Salvador and helps to promote mutual economic prosperity and advance our shared interests, including energy security.”
"We are eager to expand civil nuclear cooperation with other partners in the Western Hemisphere," concluded the Secretary of State.
However, Rubio acknowledged on Tuesday that the legality of this offer should be reviewed, but he stated that it was worth considering the proposal, reported El Nuevo Herald.
"Obviously, we will have to study it on our part. There are legal matters to consider," Rubio noted to the press in Costa Rica, referring to the proposal made on Monday by the Salvadoran president.
The head of U.S. diplomacy, following a meeting with Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves, stated: “We have a Constitution, we have all kinds of things, but it is a very generous offer.”
Rubio has shown alignment with the policy of President Donald Trump, who stated on Tuesday that, if legislation allows, he would send American citizens convicted of serious crimes to prisons in other countries.
“if we had the legal right to do it, I would do it without hesitation,” Trump told the press at the White House, reported Infobae.
Recently, the United States announced that in 30 days they would begin the deportations of immigrants to the Guantánamo Naval Base in Cuba.
However, Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security of the United States, published this Tuesday on the social network X the first images of the deportations.
“President Donald Trump has been very clear: Guantánamo Bay will house the worst of the worst. That starts today,” he emphasized.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nayib Bukele's Proposal to Imprison American Criminals
What does Nayib Bukele propose to the United States regarding convicted criminals?
Nayib Bukele has offered the United States the possibility of outsourcing part of its prison system, admitting convicted offenders, including American citizens, to the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) in El Salvador for a fee.
What is Bukele's goal in offering to imprison American criminals?
The goal of Bukele is to make the Salvadoran prison system sustainable by receiving a fee for each American prisoner, which would be significant for El Salvador, while for the United States it would represent a relatively low cost.
What does U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio think about Bukele's proposal?
Marco Rubio described the meeting with Bukele as "very productive" and emphasized that Bukele's proposal could make the United States a safer country. Rubio views the offer as an extraordinary gesture never before made by any country.
What other agreements have been signed between El Salvador and the United States?
In addition to the agreement on the outsourcing of the penitentiary system, a Memorandum of Understanding on Strategic Civil Nuclear Cooperation was signed, which aims to strengthen the bilateral relationship between both countries and promote mutual economic prosperity and energy security.
What legal challenges does Bukele's proposal to imprison American criminals face?
The proposal by Bukele faces legal challenges, as it must be reviewed to ensure its compatibility with the Constitution of the United States and other relevant legal regulations. Marco Rubio has indicated that it is necessary to study the legal aspects before considering the proposal.
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