Recently, the U.S. government made headlines by transferring 17 violent criminals to a mega prison in El Salvador. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the move earlier this week, and many are raising eyebrows about who exactly these dangerous individuals are. They belong to notorious gangs like Tren de Aragua and MS-13, both infamous for their violent activities and criminal enterprises. El Salvador’s new mega prison, built to hold 40,000 inmates, is currently housing 14,000 prisoners and aims to keep only the most dangerous criminals behind bars.
Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem recently visited El Salvador, and her firsthand account of this mega prison was nothing short of eye-opening. It took just seven months for the government of El Salvador to construct this massive facility that houses gang members deemed as terrorists. The administration led by President Bukele is serious about curbing violence and has committed to keeping the worst offenders locked away. In fact, the plan is not only to manage the current number of inmates but also to double the prison’s capacity as part of a wider strategy to ensure the safety of El Salvador’s citizens while being a reliable ally for the United States.
Visitors to the facility can witness just how effective this new prison is. Each cell contains 80 to 90 inmates, all under remarkable security. They are treated well compared to the standards of many prisons, but let’s not mix up comfort with compassion—this is a facility for the worst of the worst. The criminals here, especially those from MS-13, are not getting a second chance; they are condemned to stay there permanently. Rumor has it that operations at the prison have been so stringent that the officials boast about having no deaths despite the daunting environment.
Noem’s journey didn’t just focus on touring the facility but was also rooted in a broader mission: transparency with the American public. As those videos detailing her visit went viral, she revealed that many citizens living in the U.S. without legal status are starting to feel uncomfortable and are expressing interest in self-deportation. The message is clear: the U.S. is sending a firm reminder that illegal activity will not be tolerated. Those gang members transferred to El Salvador will face the music and serve the consequences for their actions.
Concerned citizens are also understandably perplexed about how some gang members have slipped through the cracks. Recently, it was revealed that an individual, who should never have been in the U.S. in the first place, was wrongfully administratively cleared. Mistakes can happen, but the administration is aware of the implications. Underestimating these gang members is a significant miscalculation, as they don’t just operate independently but have strong ties to organized crime, including sophisticated drug cartels. The implications stretch beyond borders, posing a substantial threat to both American citizens and allies south of the border.
In the battle against these criminal networks, it is clear that the United States is stepping up its efforts, striving to work alongside countries like El Salvador. With a serious commitment to keeping violent criminals off the streets, there’s a newfound focus on collaboration between nations to tackle these pervasive issues. As these events unfold, the American people are reminded of the importance of national security and the fight against organized crime, emphasizing that there will be no leniency for those who are intent on harming society.
