El Salvador, under President Nayib Bukele, has deployed a strict strategy against criminal gangs such as MS-13 and Barrio 18. This approach, known as the "Territorial Control Plan," was strengthened after an outbreak of violence claimed 87 lives in March 2022. The government declared a state of emergency, leading to mass arrests of suspected gang members and the suspension of certain fundamental rights. A key element of this policy was the construction of the Center for the Control of Terrorism (CECOT), a large-scale prison that opened in January 2023 with space for 40,000 inmates. This institution was built to relieve overcrowded prisons and accommodate the thousands of individuals detained during anti-gang operations. In a special twist, the U.S. and El Salvador have reached an agreement whereby El Salvador will accept prisoners from the Americas, including U.S. citizens and legal resident aliens convicted of serious crimes. These prisoners will be housed in facilities such as CECOT. The agreement was officially announced following a conversation between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and President Bukele. According to Bukele, this arrangement contributes to the sustainability of the Salvadoran prison system. On March 16, 2025, the first group of more than 250 alleged gang members arrived in El Salvador, mostly from the Venezuelan
English 
Nederlands 
العربية 
Español 
简体中文 
Deutsch 
Русский