Rubio Announces El Salvador’s Plan to Jail U.S. Deportees \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced that El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele has agreed to accept deportees from the U.S., including violent criminals, as part of a new migratory agreement. Rubio discussed the plan during his Central American tour, aimed at boosting immigration enforcement and reducing migration to the United States. The agreement has sparked human rights concerns and political backlash, with critics labeling it a dangerous precedent for deportation practices. The announcement coincides with a freeze on U.S. foreign aid programs and tensions over Chinese influence in Panama.
U.S.-El Salvador Deportation Deal: Quick Looks
- Marco Rubio announced that El Salvador will accept U.S. deportees of any nationality, including violent American criminals.
- The agreement, described as “unprecedented” by Rubio, allows deported criminals to be imprisoned in El Salvador.
- President Nayib Bukele confirmed the deal, offering to “outsource part of the U.S. prison system” for a fee.
- Human rights activists have raised concerns over El Salvador’s capacity to handle deported asylum seekers and violent criminals.
- The plan is part of Trump’s strategy to reduce immigration and strengthen border security by working with regional governments.
- Rubio’s announcement came after witnessing a U.S.-funded deportation flight from Panama to Colombia, targeting migrants crossing the Darien Gap.
- The agreement includes a “safe third country” provision, potentially allowing the U.S. to deport Venezuelan gang members to El Salvador.
- Rubio also signed a memorandum for U.S.-El Salvador nuclear cooperation, expanding bilateral relations beyond migration.
- The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has been absorbed by the State Department, with Rubio now acting administrator, amid a massive aid freeze.
- Rubio’s tour of Central America also focused on China’s influence in the Panama Canal, with Trump warning of future action against China.
Deep Look
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio revealed a groundbreaking agreement with El Salvador, allowing the Central American nation to accept deportees from the U.S., including violent American criminals. The announcement marks a significant expansion of Trump’s immigration crackdown, aiming to reduce migrant inflows and offload convicted criminals from U.S. prisons.
A Controversial Migration Agreement
During a meeting with El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele, held at Bukele’s lakeside residence near San Salvador, Rubio described the accord as the “most unprecedented, extraordinary migratory agreement anywhere in the world.” Bukele has agreed to detain deportees from any nationality and house violent criminals currently serving time in the U.S., including American citizens and legal residents.
Rubio stated:
“We can send them and he will put them in his jails.”
Bukele confirmed the arrangement on X, characterizing it as an opportunity for the U.S. to “outsource part of its prison system.” He added that the cost for the U.S. would be “relatively low” but would provide significant financial support for El Salvador’s prison system.
Legal and Human Rights Concerns
Despite Rubio’s endorsement, the proposal has ignited legal and ethical debates. U.S. law prohibits deporting American citizens, raising significant constitutional challenges should Trump attempt to repatriate U.S. nationals. Human rights activists warn that El Salvador’s prison conditions may not meet international standards, and the country lacks policies for managing deported asylum seekers or refugees.
Manuel Flores, of El Salvador’s opposition Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front, criticized the plan, accusing the U.S. of treating Central America as a “backyard to dump the garbage.”
Rubio’s Regional Diplomacy
Rubio’s announcement comes amid a five-nation Central American tour, with stops in Costa Rica, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic, following his meetings in Panama and El Salvador. The tour underscores Trump’s push to tighten regional immigration controls and increase deportations.
In Panama, Rubio oversaw a U.S.-funded deportation flight carrying 43 migrants from Panama to Colombia. The flight targeted individuals detained crossing the Darien Gap, a perilous route for South American migrants heading north. The State Department claims such deportations serve as a deterrent, supported by $2.7 million in U.S. funding.
Expanding U.S.-El Salvador Relations
Following his discussions with Bukele, Rubio signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance U.S.-El Salvador civil nuclear cooperation. The agreement could lead to joint efforts in nuclear power and medical technologies, further cementing bilateral ties.
USAID’s Dismantling and Rubio’s New Role
While Rubio toured Central America, dramatic changes unfolded in Washington. Elon Musk, head of the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), announced Trump’s decision to shut down the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Thousands of USAID employees were laid off, and programs supporting migration and crime reduction in Central America were halted.
Rubio confirmed he would now serve as acting administrator of USAID, which has been absorbed into the State Department. This shift ends USAID’s decades-long independence and centralizes control under Rubio’s authority, though legal challenges to the reorganization are anticipated.
Tensions Over the Panama Canal and China’s Influence
In Panama, Rubio delivered a stern warning about Chinese involvement in the Panama Canal, threatening U.S. action unless Panama reduced Beijing’s influence. The Trump administration has consistently criticized China’s Belt and Road Initiative, accusing it of leveraging economic projects for geopolitical control.
Back in Washington, Trump was blunt in his rhetoric, vowing to “take back” control of the Panama Canal if necessary and eliminate China’s presence. His comments suggest an escalating confrontation over strategic global infrastructure.
A New Era in U.S.-Central American Relations
The agreements with El Salvador and regional allies reflect a dramatic shift in U.S. foreign policy, emphasizing deterrence and control over humanitarian assistance. As Rubio continues his tour, the impacts of these policies on migration and regional stability remain uncertain.
The dismantling of USAID and the outsourcing of U.S. prisoners to foreign jails represent a fundamental rethinking of American engagement with the world, prioritizing security and cost reduction over diplomatic outreach and aid. Critics argue these policies may damage U.S. credibility and encourage authoritarian practices among allied nations.
As Trump’s foreign policy unfolds, the long-term consequences for Central America and U.S. global influence are likely to be profound, setting the stage for ongoing debates over immigration, foreign aid, and international relations.
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