El Salvador's Mega-Prison: Key Insights on Trump's Immigrant Transfers and Bukele's Anti-Crime Strategy

El Salvador's mega-prison, a key part of its anti-crime strategy, has become a tool in US President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown. On Sunday, hundreds of immigrants facing deportation were transferred there. The US claims these individuals are members of the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang. This transfer is part of an agreement where the Trump administration will pay El Salvador USD 6 million for one year of services.

The Terrorism Confinement Centre, or CECOT, was built under President Nayib Bukele's campaign against gangs. Opened in 2023 in Tecoluca, it can house up to 40,000 inmates across eight pavilions. Each cell accommodates 65 to 70 prisoners. Inmates at CECOT do not receive visits or have access to outdoor activities. The facility lacks workshops or educational programmes to aid reintegration into society.

CECOT's Role in Immigration Crackdown

The immigrants were deported following Trump's invocation of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. This law allows a president to detain or remove foreigners during wartime. Trump alleged that the Tren de Aragua gang was invading the US, justifying the use of this authority. However, the administration has not provided evidence linking the deported migrants to the gang or any crimes committed in the US.

Video footage released by El Salvador's government showed men exiting planes onto an airport tarmac lined with officers in riot gear. Their hands and ankles were shackled, and they struggled to walk as officers pushed their heads down. They were then transported to CECOT in a convoy of buses guarded by police and military vehicles.

Conditions Inside CECOT

Inside CECOT, prisoners are subjected to strict conditions. They sit in rows for motivational talks or participate in exercise routines under guard supervision. The prison's dining halls, break rooms, gym, and board games are reserved for guards only. Occasionally, trusted prisoners give motivational talks to others.

El Salvador's justice minister stated that those held at CECOT would never return to their communities. The prison has been criticised for human rights violations, with reports of abuse and lack of medical care. Cristosal reported that at least 261 people died in El Salvador's prisons during the gang crackdown.

El Salvador's Prison Population

As of March 2024, El Salvador had approximately 110,000 people incarcerated, according to Cristosal. This figure includes both sentenced individuals and those awaiting trial. It is more than double the number reported in April 2021 before Bukele intensified his anti-crime efforts.

The Tren de Aragua gang originated from a notorious Venezuelan prison and spread as millions fled Venezuela's economic collapse last decade. Despite this background, the Trump administration has not identified specific crimes committed by the deported migrants.

The video also depicted men kneeling on the ground as their heads were shaved before changing into CECOT's all-white uniform consisting of knee-length shorts, a T-shirt, socks, and rubber clogs before being placed in cells.

El Salvador's approach to crime and immigration continues to draw attention and criticism from human rights organisations worldwide.