The U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, visited the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) on Wednesday, the mega-prison in El Salvador where hundreds of Venezuelan migrants have been detained under controversial legal circumstances by the government of Donald Trump.
In front of a cell full of tattooed and semi-naked inmates, Noem sent an intimidating message to the immigrants.
"Do not enter our country illegally. You will be expelled and prosecuted," he said, warning that this prison center is one of the tools that the U.S. will use against those who commit crimes.
In March, the Trump administration turned to wartime legislation to expedite the deportation of 238 Venezuelans, accused of being members of the criminal gang Tren de Aragua, designated as a terrorist group by Washington.
The official ignored the orders of a federal judge who prohibited the relocation of immigrants and has defended himself against criticism, despite family members and lawyers of some migrants claiming they have no connection to the criminal organization.
Meanwhile, a law firm hired by the Venezuelan government submitted a habeas corpus petition demanding justification for the detentions.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro reported that his citizens were "kidnapped" and called for their release.
According to the White House, Washington paid about $6 million to the government of Nayib Bukele for the detention of deportees.
During her visit, Noem signed an information exchange agreement with El Salvador's Minister of Justice and Security, Gustavo Villatoro. "This agreement reinforces the commitment of both countries in the fight against transnational crime," stated the U.S. embassy in San Salvador.
Bukele, widely supported in his country for his tough stance against crime, has faced criticism from human rights organizations due to reports of abuses in mass arrests.
Since the implementation of its security strategy, more than 86,000 alleged gang members have been arrested, although several thousand have been released after being declared innocent.
Amnesty International described the deportations by the U.S. as a "blatant violation of human rights" and condemned both the Trump administration and Bukele's government for "criminalizing individuals without due process."
Analysts warn that, while collaboration with Trump could bring benefits to Bukele, it could also generate tensions with future U.S. administrations that view these practices as a threat to human rights and bilateral cooperation.
Frequently Asked Questions about the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security's Visit to Bukele's Mega Prison
What was the purpose of the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security's visit to El Salvador?
The United States Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, visited the Counter-Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) in El Salvador to deliver a strong message against illegal immigration and to sign an information-sharing agreement with the Salvadoran government. This agreement aims to strengthen the commitment to combating transnational crime, particularly against groups deemed to be terrorist organizations, such as the Tren de Aragua.
Why were Venezuelan migrants deported to El Salvador?
Venezuelan migrants were deported to El Salvador under the accusation of belonging to Tren de Aragua, a criminal organization designated as a terrorist group by the United States. The Trump administration used wartime legislation to expedite these deportations, despite claims from relatives and lawyers that some of the detainees have no connection to that criminal organization.
What consequences might the agreement between the U.S. and El Salvador have?
The agreement between the U.S. and El Salvador for the detention of criminals in the CECOT could have benefits for both countries in terms of security. However, it could also generate tensions with future U.S. administrations that view these practices as a threat to human rights and bilateral cooperation. Human rights organizations have already criticized these measures as blatant violations of human rights.
What stance has the Venezuelan government taken regarding these deportations?
The president of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, denounced that Venezuelan citizens were "kidnapped" and demanded their release. The Venezuelan government has hired a law firm to file a habeas corpus petition, demanding justification for the arrests. This situation has increased tensions between Venezuela and the U.S.
Filed under:
