The President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, expressed his interest in the official visit of his Salvadoran counterpart Nayib Bukele to the White House, which will take place this Monday, April 14, as part of an expanding alliance between both governments in the areas of security, migration, and the fight against transnational crime.
The Presidential House of El Salvador reported this Saturday that Bukele landed at Joint Base Andrews, in Washington DC, to begin his official visit to the United States. "Next Monday, April 14, the President will visit the White House, where he will meet with his counterpart Donald Trump", announced the Salvadoran government.
From his platform Truth Social, Trump stated: “We look forward to seeing President Bukele of El Salvador on Monday! Our nations are working closely together to eradicate terrorist organizations and build a future of prosperity.”
He also noted that "President Bukele has generously accepted under his custody some of the world's most violent foreign enemies, particularly those from the United States. These barbarians are now under the exclusive custody of El Salvador, a proud and sovereign nation, and their future depends on President Bukele and his government. They will never again threaten our citizens!"
The relationship between both leaders has deepened following a series of agreements that position El Salvador as a key partner in the outsourcing of U.S. immigration policy.
One of the pillars of this cooperation has been the deportation to Salvadoran territory of hundreds of migrants accused of belonging to criminal organizations such as the Tren de Aragua and MS-13, both classified by the Trump administration as Foreign Terrorist Organizations.
The most recent operation included the handing over of 17 alleged "extremely dangerous" criminals, among them six accused of child molestation, who were transferred to the Counter-Terrorism Prison Center (CECOT) in El Salvador. Bukele described the operation as “another step in the fight against terrorism and organized crime.”
According to reports from CBS News, the White House is considering a formal migration agreement under the "Safe Third Country" model, which would allow the United States to deport asylum seekers from third countries, particularly Venezuelans, to El Salvador if their applications are rejected. This mechanism, which had been unsuccessfully explored during Trump's first term, aims to be reactivated with a more aggressive approach and direct financial compensation to the Salvadoran government.
Bukele himself has confirmed that his country receives payments for the custody of these detainees, as part of a cooperation that includes joint actions between the military forces of both countries.
The U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, during a visit to the Central American country . “These criminals will no longer terrorize our communities and citizens,” he stated.
The visit will mark a diplomatic milestone: Bukele will become the first leader in the Western Hemisphere to be formally received by Trump during his current term.
The Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, reinforced this message with a visit to the CECOT, from where she sent a clear message to migrants: "Do not come to our country illegally. You will be expelled and prosecuted."
At the same time, Cuban-American Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar praised the collaboration between both leaders, highlighting that "El Salvador has become a great ally of the United States."
Frequently Asked Questions about Bukele's Visit to the White House
What is the purpose of Nayib Bukele's visit to Washington?
The President of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele, visits Washington to meet with Donald Trump at the White House. The purpose of this visit is to strengthen the alliance between both countries in terms of security, migration, and combating transnational crime. During the visit, both leaders are expected to discuss agreements that position El Salvador as a key partner in U.S. immigration policy.
What agreements have been reached between El Salvador and the United States regarding immigration?
Among the agreements reached is the one to receive deported migrants, including alleged members of criminal organizations such as the Tren de Aragua and MS-13. El Salvador receives payments for the custody of these detainees, which is part of a joint effort to combat organized crime and irregular migration. Additionally, a formal migration agreement is being considered under the "Safe Third Country" model.
What impact does cooperation between the United States and El Salvador have on the fight against organized crime?
The cooperation between both countries has enabled the capture and transfer of dangerous criminals to El Salvador, where they are imprisoned in the Terrorist Confinement Center (CECOT). This collaboration is seen as a success in the fight against transnational crime and has been strengthened with the designation of certain gangs as "Foreign Terrorist Organizations."
What has been the international response to the deportations carried out by the U.S. to El Salvador?
The international response has been mixed. While some praise the collaboration between the two countries, organizations like Amnesty International have criticized these deportations, arguing that individuals are being criminalized without due process. Furthermore, the Venezuelan government has labeled these actions as a "kidnapping."
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