Bukele DEFIES Court — U.S. Dad TRAPPED Abroad

Daily Report April 16,2025

El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele refuses to return a Maryland father deported by the Trump administration, creating an international standoff that tests the limits of sovereignty and diplomatic relations.

At a Glance

Kilmar Abrego García, a Maryland father of three, was deported to El Salvador and is now held in the Cecot mega-prison
The US government initially admitted the deportation was an “administrative error” but now disputes this claim
President Bukele stated he “cannot smuggle a terrorist into the United States” despite US Supreme Court orders
President Trump and Bukele maintain a strong relationship, with Trump praising El Salvador’s tough-on-crime stance
El Salvador receives $20,000 annually per deportee from the US, creating financial incentives for the arrangement

The Deportation Dispute

The case of Kilmar Abrego García has escalated into a significant diplomatic standoff between the United States and El Salvador. Abrego García, a father of three who previously lived in Maryland, was deported to El Salvador under the Trump administration and is currently held in the country’s notorious Cecot mega-prison. Initial reports from the US Justice Department cited an “administrative error” for the deportation, but the White House has since changed its position, now claiming García was not mistakenly deported. This contradiction has complicated efforts to resolve the case.

During a recent White House visit, El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele firmly refused to return Abrego García despite US court orders. “How can I smuggle a terrorist into the United States? I’m not going to do it,” Bukele stated, alleging García has terrorist connections – though evidence supporting this claim appears lacking. Bukele further defended his position by claiming: “I don’t have the power to return him to the United States.”

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A Strategic Partnership

The deportation case highlights the evolving partnership between the Trump administration and Bukele’s government. The two leaders have established a deportation arrangement in which El Salvador accepts alleged gang members deported from the United States. This partnership benefits both sides: Trump advances his immigration agenda while Bukele gains financial support and reduced international scrutiny of his internal policies. El Salvador reportedly receives $20,000 annually per deportee from the US government, creating a significant financial incentive for the Central American nation.

“During a visit to the White House, El Salvador’s president Nayib Bukele said he does not have the power to return Kilmar Abrego Garcia to the United States.” sources say.

The US Supreme Court ruled that the Trump administration must “facilitate” Abrego García’s return, but administration officials have resisted, arguing they cannot intervene because he is under the jurisdiction of a foreign government. Attorney General Pam Bondi has stated it’s “up to El Salvador if they want to return him,” effectively shifting responsibility to Bukele’s government. This stance has raised questions about the administration’s commitment to following court orders in immigration cases.

Sovereignty and Power Dynamics

The standoff reveals the complex power dynamics between the United States and El Salvador. During a joint meeting, Trump and Bukele reportedly mocked US courts’ inability to intervene in the deportation case, highlighting tensions between executive authority and judicial oversight. Trump has even suggested expanding the partnership by deporting violent US citizens to Salvadoran prisons, pending legal review – a proposal that would raise significant constitutional questions about US citizens’ rights.

For Bukele, the case represents an opportunity to assert El Salvador’s sovereignty while strengthening ties with the Trump administration. By accepting US deportees and refusing to return Abrego García, Bukele demonstrates independence while gaining economic benefits and political support. The Cecot mega-prison, where deportees are held, has faced criticism for alleged human rights abuses, but these concerns have received limited attention from US officials amid the strengthening bilateral relationship.

Implications for US-El Salvador Relations

This case illustrates how immigration policy has become a central element in US-El Salvador relations. Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently announced plans to deport additional alleged gang members to El Salvador, signaling the administration’s commitment to the partnership despite the controversy. The deportation arrangement provides Trump with visible progress on immigration enforcement while giving Bukele both financial resources and diplomatic leverage. As the Abrego García case continues, it may set precedents for how deportation disputes are handled in the future.

“bring somebody back, I would do that.” Trump told reporters.

For American citizens, particularly those with immigration concerns, the case raises troubling questions about due process and government accountability in deportation proceedings. If mistakes can occur without remedy, as appears possible in Abrego García’s situation, it suggests potentially significant gaps in procedural safeguards. Meanwhile, El Salvador’s willingness to hold deportees in harsh prison conditions, regardless of evidence against them, demonstrates how immigration enforcement can intersect with human rights concerns in complex and troubling ways.