U.S. Informants Handed Over to El Salvador – NPR
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Rubio Promised to Return MS-13 Informants for El Salvador Prison Access
The Deal: Informants Traded for Prison Access
The Washington Post reports that Secretary of State Marco Rubio agreed to return MS-13 informants who were in U.S. custody to El Salvador – to secure access to El Salvador’s most notorious prison, CECOT.
Background: Venezuelan Immigrants and CECOT prison
Earlier this year, the Trump administration sent millions of dollars to El Salvador. In return, the U.S. gained access to CECOT prison to detain Venezuelan immigrants. This arrangement was driven by President Trump’s desire to deport hundreds of Venezuelan immigrants.
Bukele’s Demand: The Return of MS-13 Leaders
Though, Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele had an additional request: the return of nine MS-13 gang leaders currently in U.S. custody. Secretary Rubio agreed to this demand, despite the fact that some of these individuals were actively cooperating with the Justice department as informants.
The March 13th Phone Call
According to the washington Post investigation, the agreement came during a phone call on March 13th between Secretary Rubio and President Bukele. Bukele specifically asked for Rubio’s assurance that the nine MS-13 members would be sent to El Salvador.Rubio responded that while there was an obstacle – the informants’ protected status – he would work to remove it.
Rubio stated he would ask Attorney General Pam Bondi to terminate the informant relationships and remove the protective status afforded to these individuals, paving the way for their extradition to El Salvador.
Why Bukele wanted the MS-13 Leaders
The El Salvador government has a history of making deals with MS-13 to reduce violence within the country. President Bukele’s administration was concerned that further exposure of these deals would damage his “tough-on-crime” image and reputation.
Implications and Concerns
This situation raises notable ethical and legal concerns. Betraying informants puts their lives at risk and undermines the Justice Department’s ability to gather intelligence on criminal organizations.It also questions the extent to which the Trump administration was willing to compromise U.S.interests to achieve its immigration goals.