El Salvador has proposed an unprecedented arrangement to house criminals deported from the United States, including American citizens, in its vast maximum-security prison.
The offer was made public following a meeting between El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio during the latter’s visit to the Central American nation.
Bukele, who has built a reputation for his aggressive crackdown on gang violence, framed the proposal as an opportunity for the US to “outsource part of its prison system.”
Secretary Rubio responded positively, describing the offer as a gesture of “friendship” without precedent. According to Rubio, the proposal extends to housing dangerous criminals, including US citizens, as well as deported migrants with criminal records.
A Controversial Offer
President Bukele confirmed the plan in a post on social media platform X, stating that El Salvador is willing to accept only “convicted criminals” into the Terrorism Confinement Centre (CECOT) in exchange for a financial fee. He described this fee as “relatively low” for the United States but substantial enough to contribute to the sustainability of El Salvador’s prison system.
CECOT, a newly built maximum-security facility, plays a key role in Bukele’s campaign against violent crime. The prison, designed to accommodate up to 40,000 inmates, has become emblematic of his hardline policies. Since its inauguration, the government has released striking images of tattooed gang members being held in tightly packed, windowless cells, underscoring the administration’s no-tolerance approach to crime.
The treatment of inmates in CECOT has drawn condemnation from human rights organisations, which have criticised the conditions in which prisoners are held.
Amnesty International has accused Bukele’s administration of replacing “gang violence with state violence,” citing allegations of arbitrary arrests and human rights violations. The Salvadoran government, however, has rejected such claims, pointing instead to the dramatic drop in crime rates and the overwhelming public support for its policies.
US Policy on Deportations
The proposed arrangement aligns with the US administration’s renewed focus on deporting undocumented migrants and individuals with criminal records.
Since taking office, President Donald Trump has prioritised immigration enforcement, including the expansion of mass deportations.
Secretary Rubio’s Latin American tour, which also includes stops in Panama, Costa Rica, and Guatemala, has placed particular emphasis on migration issues and countering Chinese influence in the region.
During his visit to Panama, Rubio urged the country to take immediate measures to limit Chinese involvement in the Panama Canal. In Costa Rica and Guatemala, discussions are expected to cover regional security, migration, and cooperation on transnational crime.
Public and Political Reactions
Domestically, Bukele’s proposal is likely to bolster his image as a strong leader committed to combating crime. His policies remain widely popular in El Salvador, with many citizens crediting his government for restoring security and reducing gang-related violence. His landslide re-election last year, securing over 84% of the vote, underscored the broad public support for his crime-fighting measures.
However, critics argue that Bukele’s security strategy relies on mass incarceration and authoritarian tactics that disregard due process. Since the introduction of emergency measures, thousands have been detained, including individuals who relatives claim were arrested arbitrarily. Human rights groups continue to raise concerns about the lack of judicial oversight and transparency in these detentions.
For the US, the prospect of outsourcing incarceration to El Salvador raises legal and ethical questions. The idea of transferring American citizens to foreign prisons could face significant political and constitutional challenges.
Furthermore, the Trump administration, which would oversee any potential implementation of such an agreement, may face opposition from lawmakers and civil rights groups concerned about the implications for prisoners’ rights and legal protections.
A Strategic Partnership?
While the details of the proposal remain unclear, the initiative signals a strengthening of ties between the US and El Salvador under Bukele’s leadership. By offering to house deported criminals, Bukele positions his country as a key partner in US-led efforts to address migration and crime in the region. In return, the financial compensation could provide economic benefits and help sustain his ambitious security policies.
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