El Salvador’s President has proposed housing American criminals in his country’s mega-prisons – THAT would prevent criminals in the United States committing horrific crimes, wouldn’t it?
At a Glance
- El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele proposes housing U.S. criminals in his country’s mega-prisons
- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio praises the offer as “extraordinary friendship”
- Proposal includes jailing undocumented migrants and U.S. citizens convicted of crimes
- Legal concerns arise over the deportation of U.S. citizens
- Bukele’s tough-on-crime approach has reduced violence but faced human rights criticisms
Bukele’s Bold Proposition
In what could become one of the most proactive law and order measures taken by any American President in history, El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele has extended an unprecedented offer to the United States. The proposal involves housing American criminals, including U.S. citizens, in El Salvador’s mega-prisons for a fee. This controversial suggestion came during a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio at Bukele’s residence.
“We have offered the United States of America the opportunity to outsource part of its prison system,” Nayib Bukele said.
Bukele’s proposal is not limited to just housing criminals. It also includes taking in undocumented migrants convicted of crimes in the U.S., as well as accepting convicted criminals currently serving sentences on American soil. The Salvadoran leader emphasized that this arrangement could make El Salvador’s entire prison system financially sustainable.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s response to Bukele’s offer was notably positive. Rubio praised the proposal as “an act of extraordinary friendship,” highlighting its potential impact on addressing issues of crime and illegal immigration. However, the legality and feasibility of such an arrangement remain in question, particularly concerning the deportation of U.S. citizens.
“He has offered to house in his jails dangerous American criminals in custody in our country, including those of U.S. citizenship and legal residents,” Marco Rubio said.
The proposal aligns with the Trump administration’s approach to foreign relations, emphasizing support on issues like illegal migration and drug trafficking. It specifically targets members of Latin American gangs such as MS-13 and Tren de Aragua, which have been a focus of U.S. law enforcement efforts.
🚨🇺🇸🇸🇻 BUKELE'S BOLD OFFER: "WE'LL TAKE YOUR CRIMINALS – EVEN U.S. CITIZENS"
In an unprecedented deal, El Salvador's president offered to house convicted criminals from U.S. prisons in his country's mega-facility – including American citizens.@nayibbukele :
"We'll take… https://t.co/DB0p8VIguB pic.twitter.com/pFodar64fJ
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) February 4, 2025
Imagine just how terrified criminals will be when they realize they’re not going to American prisons…but foreign ones.
El Salvador’s Prison System and Human Rights Concerns
Bukele’s offer comes against the backdrop of El Salvador’s controversial approach to crime reduction. Since his election in 2019, Bukele’s government has arrested over 80,000 people, significantly reducing homicide rates. However, this tough-on-crime stance has not been without criticism.
Human rights groups have raised concerns about alleged abuses within El Salvador’s prison system. The U.S. State Department has described the country’s prisons as overcrowded and harsh. The proposal suggests housing deported criminals in the Terrorism Confinement Center, a facility already facing scrutiny for overcrowding and reports of torture.
That’s one hell of a deterrent. What do our readers think?
