El Salvador Proposes to House U.S. Convicts

El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele has proposed to the United States an unprecedented offer to house U.S. convicts, including American citizens, in its mega-prison CECOT, in exchange for a fee. This proposal comes amid Bukele's controversial crackdown on gang violence, drawing both domestic approval and international criticism for alleged human rights abuses. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged the offer as significant, though it raises legal concerns, as American law prohibits the deportation of U.S. citizens. President Donald Trump has expressed interest in the offer, suggesting it could reduce costs and serve as a crime deterrent, while emphasizing the need for legal validation. Human rights groups have criticized the plan, highlighting the inhumane conditions in El Salvador's prisons. The U.S. administration is currently studying the legality of this proposal and its implications.