El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele recently met with President Donald Trump at the White House, where they discussed collaboration to tackle violent crime in the United States.
Following their meeting, Bukele expressed his fondness for Trump by tweeting, “I miss you already, President T.” During their time together, Trump praised Bukele, stating, “You have one hell of a president.”
This friendly meeting comes on the heels of Trump referring to Bukele as “President B” in a promotional post on his social media platform, Truth Social.
In that post, Trump acknowledged Bukele’s role in accepting the custody of violent gang members, emphasizing that they would not threaten U.S. citizens again.
Trump highlighted the importance of this partnership, suggesting he might be open to sending violent American criminals to El Salvador if feasible.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also joined the conversation, welcoming Bukele and commending both leaders for their shared commitment to enhancing law and order.
Trump’s deportation approach is based in large part on Bukele’s expansive mega-prison. Wearing a black T-shirt and no tie, Bukele stated while seated in the Oval Office that he was “very eager to help” the United States by continuing to accept deportees and suspected gang members into his prison system.
More than 200 suspected gang members, including Abrego Garcia, were flown to El Salvador for indefinite confinement at the Centro de Confinamiento del Terrorismo, or Cecot, a 40,000-person prison that has come to represent Bukele’s war on gangs.
Abrego Garcia’s wife and kid, who are residents of the United States, filed a request for his return in federal court in Greenbelt, Maryland, after learning of his transfer to Cecot.
Judge Paula Xinis gave the government an order on April 4th to “facilitate and effectuate” Abrego Garcia’s repatriation by Monday night at midnight.
After the government’s appeal was denied by a federal circuit court in Richmond, Virginia, the Justice Department requested that the Supreme Court step in.
The government’s appeal was dismissed by the supreme court, which stated that authorities have to make it easier for Abrego Garcia to return.
Trump administration officials objected to a federal judge’s decision that the United States should facilitate Abrego Garcia’s repatriation during the same Oval Office meeting.
The Trump administration would deport Abrego Garcia once more if he were to return, according to Stephen Miller, the White House’s deputy chief of staff for policy.
Bukele then explicitly stated that he would not be returning Garcia to the U.S. in spite of the Supreme Court ruling.
As the two leaders continue to build their relationship, Bukele’s tweet reflects a mutual respect and the potential for impactful collaboration in addressing crime concerns. This meeting underscores a partnership focused on delivering safety and security for their respective countries.
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