In a defiant stance, El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele has refused to return Kilmar Abrego García, a Maryland resident mistakenly deported by U.S. authorities, despite a U.S. Supreme Court order mandating his return. Abrego García, accused by the Trump administration of MS-13 gang affiliation, was deported in March under the Alien Enemies Act and is currently detained in El Salvador’s high-security Terrorism Confinement Center.
During an Oval Office meeting on April 14, President Bukele dismissed the U.S. request, stating, “Are you suggesting I smuggle a terrorist into the United States? Of course, I’m not going to do it.” He emphasized El Salvador’s transformation from one of the most dangerous countries to the safest in the Western Hemisphere and expressed unwillingness to reverse that progress.
The U.S. Supreme Court had ordered the administration to “facilitate” Abrego García’s return, but the Justice Department contends that this does not obligate them to negotiate with foreign governments. The administration maintains that Abrego García’s deportation was due to procedural errors and asserts no obligation to retrieve him.
This incident underscores the complexities of international law and diplomatic relations, particularly concerning immigration and extradition policies. It also highlights the challenges in balancing national security concerns with judicial mandates and human rights considerations.
