In brief
A report uncovers that President Trump and El Salvador’s President, Nayib Bukele, coordinated the deportation of Venezuelan migrants labeled as gang members, many of whom faced trialless deportations. Bukele sought guarantees from the U.S. regarding the deportees' criminal status.
In mid-April, President Trump and El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele announced a significant deportation of Venezuelan migrants, sending over 200 to a notorious maximum-security prison in El Salvador. While Trump celebrated the agreement, Bukele expressed hidden concerns about the migrants' status. He insisted that only “convicted criminals” should occupy the prison, raising alarms over Venezuelan men classified as gang members without proper court trials.Internal documents and government sources reveal Bukele sought U.S. assurances that the deportees were indeed part of the Tren de Aragua gang before agreeing to their transfer. A senior U.S. official stressed the urgency of providing necessary evidence to placate Bukele and ensure compliance with their pact, showcasing the tensions surrounding the implementation of the controversial deportation strategy.
