The United States has deported more than 250 suspected gang members to El Salvador, where they were immediately transferred to the country’s infamous Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT).

El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele confirmed the deportation on Sunday, writing on X that the flight included 238 members of the Venezuelan prison gang Tren de Aragua, along with 23 members of MS-13.

Video footage from the arrival showed dozens of heavily armed Salvadoran commandos meeting the plane on the tarmac.

The suspects, bound in chains, were then escorted by guards into armored prison transports before being taken to the high-security facility.

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CECOT, known for its strict conditions, has gained international attention in recent years.

Reports indicate that inmates are subjected to forced labor, housed in overcrowded cells, and face violent confrontations over food and water.

The facility was built as part of Bukele’s broader crackdown on organized crime in the country.

In addition to the Tren de Aragua members, the deportation included 23 MS-13 members wanted in El Salvador, among them two high-ranking figures in the gang.

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Bukele highlighted the significance of one of the detainees, stating, “One of them is a member of the criminal organization’s highest structure.”

The Salvadoran president framed the mass transfer as part of a larger strategy to dismantle gang operations within the country.

“This will help us finalize intelligence gathering and go after the last remnants of MS-13, including its former and new members, money, weapons, drugs, hideouts, collaborators, and sponsors,” Bukele said.

He further emphasized El Salvador’s ongoing efforts in combatting organized crime, stating, “But this time, we are also helping our allies, making our prison system self-sustainable, and obtaining vital intelligence to make our country an even safer place. All in a single action.”

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He concluded his statement with, “May God bless El Salvador, and may God bless the United States.”

The transfer comes as part of an agreement between the U.S. and El Salvador to house criminal migrants.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who played a role in brokering the deal, expressed gratitude for Bukele’s cooperation.

“Thank you for your assistance and friendship,” Rubio said.

El Salvador has been aggressive in its efforts to eliminate gang activity within its borders, and the mass deportation of suspected criminals aligns with Bukele’s broader anti-gang policies.

The move also signals deeper collaboration between the U.S. and El Salvador in addressing transnational crime.

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