The United States has deported over 200 alleged members of the Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua, to El Salvador, invoking a rarely used wartime law. This mass deportation occurred despite a temporary court order blocking the expulsions. El Salvador’s President, Nayib Bukele, confirmed the arrival of 238 members of the criminal organisation and expressed gratitude to the US for the cooperation. Additionally, 23 members of the notorious Salvadorean gang MS-13 were also sent to the Central American country.
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The deportations were made possible after US President Donald Trump signed an executive order invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, allowing the rapid expulsion of non-US citizens who are affiliated with the Venezuelan gang. This law, used only three times before during major wars, bypasses standard immigration protocols. While a federal judge later suspended the law’s application, by that time, the deportees had already left US soil. The White House stated that the court’s ruling had no impact on the process, as the individuals were already en route to El Salvador.
Venezuela has condemned Trump’s use of the centuries-old law, labelling it a violation of human rights and comparing the act to historical atrocities. The Venezuelan government has called upon the international community, particularly the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), to oppose this move, describing it as setting a dangerous precedent in international law. The expulsion has sparked further tension between Venezuela and the US over the treatment of Venezuelan migrants.
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In El Salvador, the alleged members of Tren de Aragua were transferred to the country’s maximum-security Terrorism Confinement Centre (CECOT), a notorious facility designed to hold 40,000 prisoners. The gang is linked to various criminal activities, including extortion, kidnapping, and contract killings. However, it remains unclear what charges they will face in El Salvador or if any children were among those deported.
