U.S. Secretary of State Rubio Engages El Salvador in Migration and Security Talks
Rubio's visit highlights U.S.-El Salvador relations amid a revamped migration strategy linked to former President Trump.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in El Salvador on Monday to discuss migration and security policies with President Nayib Bukele.
This visit follows Rubio's stop in Panama and marks his second engagement in his capacity as U.S. chief diplomat.
During the discussions, Rubio may propose that El Salvador accept deported criminals from the United States, leveraging Bukele's administration's heightened public approval due to its efforts against gang violence.
Recent statements from Mauricio Claver-Carone, the U.S. Special Envoy for Latin America, noted a significant transformation in San Salvador's safety, stating, "Just a decade ago, San Salvador was the world crime capital, and today it’s one of the safest cities in the world." Claver-Carone has highlighted Bukele as a crucial ally regarding migration issues.
The Trump administration previously eliminated the temporary protected status for over 600,000 Venezuelans in the U.S., which previously shielded them from deportation amid dire conditions in Venezuela.
In a related diplomatic move last week, a U.S. envoy engaged with Venezuela’s president, Nicolás Maduro, urging him to accept deported Venezuelans, including members of the Tren de Aragua gang, categorized by Trump as a terrorist organization.
Claver-Carone remarked, "They (Tren de Aragua members) will want to return to Venezuela before dealing with gang prisons in El Salvador."
Rubio’s prior visit to Panama has led to commitments for enhanced cooperation in deporting migrants from various nations.
This initiative is intended to alleviate tensions stemming from Trump’s proposal to take control of the Panama Canal.
Reports from Panama City indicated that Rubio observed a deportation flight carrying Colombian nationals detained while attempting to cross the Darién jungle toward the U.S. border.
In discussions concerning U.S. relations with El Salvador, Rubio's administration has yet to address the status of approximately 232,000 Salvadorans in the United States who are currently shielded from deportation.
In a simultaneous political maneuver, Bukele praised Trump's stance on reducing U.S. foreign aid, a remark made via social media before Rubio's arrival.
Bukele's government has faced sharp criticism from human rights organizations for its security policies, especially the declaration of a state of exception in March 2022, which permits arrests without judicial authorization.
To date, Bukele claims approximately 83,000 arrests have occurred, with about 8,000 individuals released for wrongful detention.
Despite this controversy, Bukele remains politically favored, having been re-elected with over 80% of the vote last year.
His inauguration included notable guests such as Donald Trump Jr. and Tucker Carlson, aligning with Bukele’s connections to right-wing populist figures.
However, the former president has publicly questioned Bukele's security policies in prior speeches, suggesting that increased crime in the U.S. was partly due to El Salvador's practices.
This visit follows Rubio's stop in Panama and marks his second engagement in his capacity as U.S. chief diplomat.
During the discussions, Rubio may propose that El Salvador accept deported criminals from the United States, leveraging Bukele's administration's heightened public approval due to its efforts against gang violence.
Recent statements from Mauricio Claver-Carone, the U.S. Special Envoy for Latin America, noted a significant transformation in San Salvador's safety, stating, "Just a decade ago, San Salvador was the world crime capital, and today it’s one of the safest cities in the world." Claver-Carone has highlighted Bukele as a crucial ally regarding migration issues.
The Trump administration previously eliminated the temporary protected status for over 600,000 Venezuelans in the U.S., which previously shielded them from deportation amid dire conditions in Venezuela.
In a related diplomatic move last week, a U.S. envoy engaged with Venezuela’s president, Nicolás Maduro, urging him to accept deported Venezuelans, including members of the Tren de Aragua gang, categorized by Trump as a terrorist organization.
Claver-Carone remarked, "They (Tren de Aragua members) will want to return to Venezuela before dealing with gang prisons in El Salvador."
Rubio’s prior visit to Panama has led to commitments for enhanced cooperation in deporting migrants from various nations.
This initiative is intended to alleviate tensions stemming from Trump’s proposal to take control of the Panama Canal.
Reports from Panama City indicated that Rubio observed a deportation flight carrying Colombian nationals detained while attempting to cross the Darién jungle toward the U.S. border.
In discussions concerning U.S. relations with El Salvador, Rubio's administration has yet to address the status of approximately 232,000 Salvadorans in the United States who are currently shielded from deportation.
In a simultaneous political maneuver, Bukele praised Trump's stance on reducing U.S. foreign aid, a remark made via social media before Rubio's arrival.
Bukele's government has faced sharp criticism from human rights organizations for its security policies, especially the declaration of a state of exception in March 2022, which permits arrests without judicial authorization.
To date, Bukele claims approximately 83,000 arrests have occurred, with about 8,000 individuals released for wrongful detention.
Despite this controversy, Bukele remains politically favored, having been re-elected with over 80% of the vote last year.
His inauguration included notable guests such as Donald Trump Jr. and Tucker Carlson, aligning with Bukele’s connections to right-wing populist figures.
However, the former president has publicly questioned Bukele's security policies in prior speeches, suggesting that increased crime in the U.S. was partly due to El Salvador's practices.
