In March 2025, Secretary of State Marco Rubio promised Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele the return of nine MS-13 gang leaders in U.S. custody, some of whom were confidential informants, in exchange for access to El Salvador’s Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT). According to an exclusive in the Washington Post, this agreement facilitated the deportation of hundreds of Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador but has raised significant concerns about the safety of U.S. law enforcement operations and the protection of informants.
To fulfill Bukele’s request, Attorney General Pam Bondi was reportedly instructed to terminate the Justice Department’s agreements with these informants. Critics argue that this move undermines the credibility of U.S. law enforcement and could deter future cooperation from informants. One of the deported gang leaders, César López Larios, had previously provided critical information about MS-13 activities in the U.S. and alleged government collusion in El Salvador.
The arrangement has also drawn attention to the Trump administration’s relationship with Bukele’s government, which has faced allegations of negotiating with MS-13 to reduce crime statistics and suppress evidence of government dealings with the gang. While the Trump administration has defended the deal as a diplomatic success, the decision has sparked controversy over the ethical implications of sacrificing informant safety for geopolitical gains.
This situation underscores ongoing tensions between national security interests and the protection of individuals who assist in law enforcement efforts. The case has increased scrutiny of U.S. collaboration with Bukele, whose administration is accused of negotiating with MS-13 to reduce crime statistics, while facing allegations of human rights abuses and undermining democratic norms.
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