During the Republican National Convention, former U.S. President and presidential candidate for the November 5, 2024 elections, Donald Trump, launched fierce criticisms against the President of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele. Trump accused Bukele of sending criminals to the United States as part of his strategy to reduce crime in El Salvador.
Without providing official data to back his claims, Trump asserted that the reduction in crime in El Salvador is due to the migration of criminal gangs to the United States, particularly members of the Mara Salvatrucha (MS13). "In El Salvador, murders have decreased by 70%. Why have they decreased? He (Nayib Bukele) will convince you that it's because they train murderers to become good people, but no. They are decreasing because they are sending their murderers to the United States!" Trump exclaimed.
The Republican candidate promised that, if elected, he would take drastic measures against the illegal migration of criminals and launch the largest deportation program in the country's history. "Terrible things could happen due to this illegal migration of organized crime members to the United States," insisted the Republican candidate.
Trump recalled that during his term in the White House, he expelled several members of the Mara, stating that he achieved this despite initial resistance from the home countries of these criminals. "I took out thousands and thousands in my four years. We got them out of the country; other countries wouldn't accept them, and I said, 'Tell them they won't keep receiving economic assistance,' and the next day, all these presidents called me," he detailed.
President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador responded to Trump's statements with a brief message, highlighting that El Salvador is "on the right path." Bukele and his government team defend their security management, emphasizing the reduction of immigration to the United States.
The Salvadoran government claims to have captured more than 81,000 gang-related individuals, with nearly 108,000 people currently incarcerated in the country and many incorporated into reeducation programs in prisons.
Trump also included Venezuela and Cuba among the countries from which numerous illegal migrants originate, contributing, according to him, to the rise in crime in the United States. Regarding Cuba, he mentioned the presence of a Russian submarine near the island a few weeks ago, which he considered a direct threat to the United States. "Russia has nuclear submarines and warships 60 miles from Miami," he noted.
Trump's statements about Bukele and the influx of migrants to the United States have sparked controversy, as both leaders defend their respective security and migration policies.
Key Questions About Trump's Accusations and Migration Policies
In light of Trump's accusations against Bukele and his comments on illegal migration, several important questions arise. Here are some key inquiries and their answers to help clarify the situation.
What did Trump accuse Nayib Bukele of?
Trump accused Bukele of sending criminals to the United States as a strategy to reduce crime in El Salvador.
Did Trump provide any evidence for his claims?
No, Trump did not provide official data to support his statements.
How did Nayib Bukele respond to Trump's accusations?
Bukele responded with a brief message, emphasizing that El Salvador is on the right path and defending his administration's security measures.
What measures did Trump promise to take if elected?
Trump promised to implement drastic measures against the illegal migration of criminals and to launch the largest deportation program in U.S. history.