US Deports Alleged Venezuelan Gang Members to El Salvador

More than 200 individuals believed to be associated with a Venezuelan gang have been deported from the United States to El Salvador, where they have been placed in a high-security facility, according to the Salvadoran president's announcement.

In a significant move, the U.S. government invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to expedite the deportation of alleged members of Tren de Aragua, a criminal organization accused of various serious crimes, including kidnapping, extortion, and contract killings. Following this action, a federal judge in Washington, D.C., issued a temporary restraining order against the application of this law, citing its implications for international relations and the definition of hostile acts.

Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele reported via social media that 238 individuals from this group had arrived in El Salvador and were subsequently transferred to the Terrorism Confinement Center, a facility designed to accommodate up to 40,000 prisoners, where they will be held for an initial period of one year, subject to renewal.

The exact timeline of the deportations remains unclear, but President Bukele's remarks suggested that the process was already in motion before the U.S. court's decision came into effect. In his response to the judicial ruling, Bukele seemed to imply that the deportations had already been finalized.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also confirmed that over 250 alleged members of Tren de Aragua had been sent to El Salvador. Reports indicate that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, along with the State Department and Salvadoran authorities, have not yet provided further comments regarding these actions.

In a related context, the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro condemned the use of the Alien Enemies Act for these deportations, asserting that it infringes on the rights of migrants. Furthermore, both Bukele and Rubio noted that the U.S. had also deported 23 members of the Salvadoran gang MS-13 back to El Salvador.

According to reports from the Associated Press, the United States has agreed to compensate El Salvador with $6 million to facilitate the imprisonment of 300 alleged members of Tren de Aragua for one year. The Alien Enemies Act, which has historical precedence for its controversial use during World War II, allows the U.S. administration to bypass immigration courts to expedite the removal of individuals deemed threats.

In light of these developments, the Trump administration has filed an appeal against the recent legal decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, signaling ongoing legal battles surrounding the use of this law.