Nayib Bukele, the President of El Salvador, is visiting Washington, D.C., for a meeting with President Donald Trump. The two leaders are coming together amid ongoing legal discussions about the U.S. deporting undocumented immigrants to El Salvador.
Trump expressed his anticipation for the meeting on Truth Social, highlighting the partnership between the two nations in fighting terrorism and building a prosperous future. He praised Bukele for accepting dangerous criminals, stating that these individuals are now under El Salvador’s control and will no longer pose a threat to American citizens.
The meeting is scheduled for Monday at the White House. According to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, discussions will focus on El Salvador’s supermax prison, which is housing members of the Tren de Aragua and MS-13 gangs. This cooperation is seen as a model for how countries can work with the U.S. on security issues.
In a press conference, Trump expressed confidence in Bukele’s handling of the situation, stating that he is addressing problems that the U.S. would struggle to manage financially. He referred to the inmates in the prison as individuals who should never have been allowed into the United States.
Trump’s invitation to Bukele included praise for his support in combating illegal immigration, which has been a significant issue for the Trump administration. He noted the importance of Bukele’s willingness to use the prison for gang members, emphasizing Bukele’s leadership as an example for other nations.
This visit comes after a Supreme Court ruling that required the Trump administration to facilitate the return of a Salvadoran national, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was deported to El Salvador. Garcia’s legal team claims he has no ties to MS-13, raising concerns about the deportation process.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio also commented on the partnership, stating that Bukele is committed to holding gang members at a lower cost than it would take to keep them in the U.S. He mentioned that Bukele is eager to manage MS-13 members who are wanted for crimes in El Salvador.
Overall, this meeting signifies a continuing collaboration between the U.S. and El Salvador in addressing gang violence and illegal immigration, with both leaders expressing a commitment to work together on these pressing issues.