Rubio reveals that El Salvador is willing to take in deportees from the U.S., regardless of their nationality, including American citizens.

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador — On Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio concluded his visit to El Salvador with a landmark agreement with President Nayib Bukele to accept deportees from the United States, which includes individuals of all nationalities, even those convicted of serious crimes in the U.S.

Following a lengthy meeting at Bukele’s lakeside residence, Rubio lauded the arrangement as unprecedented, emphasizing that it allows for the transfer of detained migrants—regardless of their nationality—to El Salvador’s correctional facilities. He noted that Bukele has also agreed to accept violent offenders currently serving time within the U.S., whether they are citizens or lawful residents.

Rubio’s visit was primarily focused on urging the El Salvadoran government to enhance its commitment to addressing immigration issues, in line with President Donald Trump’s directives for stricter immigration policies. Bukele confirmed the agreement via a post on X, asserting that El Salvador is willing to provide a solution by accepting only convicted criminals from the U.S. in exchange for a fee that, while affordable for the U.S., would significantly support the sustainability of El Salvador’s prison infrastructure.

The proposition drew a positive response from billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, who shared his support on social media. Still, it is important to note that a senior U.S. official clarified that while Bukele’s offer holds importance, there are currently no plans in place by the Trump administration to deport American citizens, which is legally complicated and would face considerable challenges.

The conditions within El Salvador’s overcrowded incarceration facilities are known to be dire, with numerous reports indicating inadequate sanitation, lack of potable water, insufficient ventilation, and poor lighting. Under a state of emergency since March 2022, in response to escalated violence from powerful street gangs, Bukele’s administration has halted many civil liberties and led to the arrest of over 83,000 individuals, often without due legal process.

Furthermore, in 2023, Bukele inaugurated a vast prison designed to hold 40,000 gang members, while implementing policies such as limiting meals to just one daily. This facility prohibits visitor access and provides no rehabilitation programs for inmates. Despite its previous reputation as one of the world’s most dangerous nations, El Salvador recorded an unprecedented low of 114 homicides last year, contributing to Bukele’s rising popularity among its 6 million citizens.

Upon landing in San Salvador, Rubio had just observed a U.S.-sponsored deportation flight transporting 43 migrants from Panama to Colombia. His discussions in Panama included warnings for the government regarding China’s influence in the canal, emphasizing migration as a critical issue. As part of a broader Central American tour that includes Costa Rica, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic, Rubio’s focus remains squarely on migration policies.

The Trump administration is prioritizing efforts to prevent individuals from making their way to the U.S., collaborating with regional nations to fortify their immigration enforcement and facilitate the repatriation of deportees. The agreement established to allow El Salvador to accept deported foreign nationals from the U.S. encompasses what is known as a “safe third country” agreement. While there have been discussions regarding Venezuelan gang members, Rubio assured that Bukele’s undertaking pertains to detainees of any nationality.

Rubio further elaborated that Bukele indicated a willingness to incarcerate U.S. citizens or legal residents who have been convicted of violent offenses. This decision has drawn concern from human rights defenders, who point out that El Salvador does not consistently follow humane policies in dealing with asylum seekers and refugees, raising fears that the agreement may extend beyond just violent offenders.

Critics, like Manuel Flores of the leftist opposition party, have denounced the “safe third country” plan, suggesting it reduces the region to being a dumping ground for the U.S. legal system. Following his discussions with Bukele, Rubio formalized a memorandum of understanding to promote U.S.-El Salvador cooperation in civil nuclear initiatives, potentially leading to formal agreements concerning nuclear energy and medical advancements—similar to other U.S. partnerships worldwide.

During this tumultuous period for U.S. agencies, news emerged that the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) staff were avoiding the Washington headquarters after Musk announced Trump’s agreement to dismantle the agency. Thousands of employees have already faced layoffs and program cancellations. Responding to this, Rubio stated that he had assumed the role of acting administrator of USAID but is delegating this role to prevent involvement in daily operations.

This reorganization signifies a departure from USAID’s longstanding independent status as it integrates into the State Department, a change likely to be met with legal scrutiny. Rubio articulated that many USAID initiatives would continue, yet highlighted the necessity of this transition due to the agency’s perceived lack of accountability to both the executive branch and Congress.