US to Outsource Prisoners to El Salvador in Controversial Agreement

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The U.S. and El Salvador have reached a controversial agreement allowing for the outsourcing of American prisoners to El Salvador’s mega-prison. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the deal will include foreign nationals detained for violating U.S. immigration laws, as well as dangerous criminals who are U.S. citizens or legal residents.

El Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele confirmed the arrangement on social media, emphasizing that the country would accept only convicted criminals in exchange for a fee, which he described as low for the U.S. but significant for El Salvador, potentially supporting its prison system sustainability.

The proposal, initially aimed at alleged gang members, has elicited harsh criticism. Manuel Flores, a member of El Salvador's opposition party, condemned the agreement, claiming it reduces El Salvador to the U.S.'s “backyard to dump the garbage.” Criminology lecturer Emmy Rākete echoed these sentiments, labeling it as a morally reprehensible move that could perpetuate human rights abuses considering El Salvador's problematic prison conditions.

The implications of this arrangement remain to be seen as both countries face scrutiny over their prison systems.

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