Bukele Proposes Using Salvadoran Prisons for American and Legal Resident Criminals

On Tuesday, El Salvador's President, Nayib Bukele, revealed that his administration has proposed to the United States the option of outsourcing a portion of its prison system. This offer includes accepting convicted criminals, such as American citizens, into the Center for Confinement of Terrorism (CECOT), in exchange for a fee. Through his account on X, Bukele elaborated on the offer: "We have extended an opportunity to the United States of America to outsource part of its prison system. We are ready to admit only convicted criminals (including American citizens) into our mega prison (CECOT) for a fee."

Bukele further explained that "the fee would be relatively low for the United States but significant for us, making our entire penitentiary system sustainable." An exclusive report by CNN, shared on their X profile, provided a rare glimpse into the Cecot prison in El Salvador, housing some of the nation's most notorious gang members. In the report, journalist David Culver toured the controversial high-security facility alongside prison officials, capturing firsthand accounts from the inmates.

Impact on U.S. Security Highlighted by Rubio

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described his meeting with Bukele as "very productive," emphasizing the significance of the proposal. Rubio stated on X: "A very productive meeting with the Salvadoran president. His commitment to incarcerating criminals from any country, including those from violent gangs like MS-13 and Tren de Aragua, will make the United States a safer place."

Rubio highlighted Bukele's unprecedented offer: "In an extraordinary gesture never before offered by any country, President Bukele proposed to house dangerous American criminals, including U.S. citizens and legal residents, in their prisons." The Secretary of State made these remarks during his tour across several Latin American countries.

Additionally, Rubio announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding on strategic civil nuclear cooperation with El Salvador’s Foreign Minister, Alexandra Hill Tinoco. Rubio shared on X: "During my stay in El Salvador, I signed a memorandum of understanding on strategic civil nuclear cooperation with Foreign Minister Alexandra Hill Tinoco. This cooperation strengthens the bilateral relationship between the United States and El Salvador, promotes mutual economic prosperity, and advances our shared interests, including energy security."

Rubio concluded, "We are eager to expand civil nuclear cooperation with other partners in the Western Hemisphere."

Legal Considerations of the Proposal

However, Rubio acknowledged on Tuesday that the legality of this offer requires review, but he suggested it is worth considering, as reported by El Nuevo Herald. "Obviously, we will need to study it on our end. There are legal matters to consider," Rubio told the press in Costa Rica, referencing Bukele’s proposal made on Monday.

Following a meeting with Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves, Rubio indicated, "We have a Constitution, we have all kinds of things, but it is a very generous offer." Rubio has shown alignment with President Donald Trump's policies, who declared on Tuesday that, if legally permissible, he would send American citizens convicted of serious crimes to prisons in other countries. "If we had the legal right to do it, I would do it without hesitation," Trump stated to the press at the White House, reported Infobae.

Recently, the United States announced that deportations to the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba would commence in 30 days. Yet, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem released the first images of these deportations on X, emphasizing, "President Donald Trump has been very clear: Guantanamo Bay will house the worst of the worst. That starts today."