US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem visited El Salvador to tour a prison housing alleged gang members deported by the Trump administration. The Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) is known for its dehumanizing conditions and heavy security measures aimed at deterring gang violence. Noem viewed rows of inmates, including suspected MS-13 gang members, who were shipped from the US. She met with El Salvador’s minister of justice and public security, Gustavo Villatoro, to discuss the situation and the conditions within the prison.
Noem, known as “ICE Barbie” for her tough stance on immigration, visited the prison and observed the inmates with their tattoos and uniform. She was led through the facility by officials and viewed the heavy weaponry used by guards to maintain order. The purpose of her visit was to discuss increasing the number of US deportees sent to CECOT with Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele. This visit is part of a three-day tour of Latin American countries to address the issue of organized crime affecting the region.
The Trump administration’s efforts to deport alleged gang members to CECOT have faced legal challenges. The use of the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to deport non-citizens without due process has been controversial. Trump declared Tren de Aragua a terrorist organization, allowing him to use the Alien Enemies Act against them. However, a federal judge blocked the order, leading to a heated legal battle over the deportations. The deal to keep Tren de Aragua deportees at CECOT was made between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and President Bukele.
CECOT is a high-security prison located south of San Salvador, designed to house inmates involved in organized crime and gang violence. Inmates spend the majority of their day in crowded cells without access to outdoor activities. They are limited to 30 minutes of indoor exercise and are provided basic meals of beans and pasta. Most inmates are serving life sentences and are considered difficult to rehabilitate. During Noem’s tour, she encountered inmates serving lengthy sentences, including one man serving 465 years for homicide and terrorism.
Noem’s visit to El Salvador highlights the ongoing issue of organized crime and gang violence in the region. The US government’s efforts to address these challenges through deportations and partnerships with countries like El Salvador are met with legal hurdles and criticisms. The conditions within CECOT raise questions about the treatment of inmates and the effectiveness of such measures in combating gang violence. The situation in El Salvador is part of a larger conversation about transnational crime impacting Latin America and beyond.
As Noem continues her tour of Latin American countries, including Colombia and Mexico, the focus remains on addressing organized crime and enhancing security measures to prevent its spread. The collaboration between the US and countries like El Salvador reflects a shared concern about the impact of gang violence on communities. The challenges faced by CECOT and other high-security prisons highlight the complexities of addressing crime and rehabilitation within the prison system. Noem’s visit serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts to address these issues and the importance of international cooperation in combating organized crime.
