A legal standoff highlights the tensions between El Salvador and the Trump administration regarding deportation policies.
**El Salvador Stands Firm Against U.S. Deportation Demands**
**El Salvador Stands Firm Against U.S. Deportation Demands**
El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele rejects returning a deportee wrongly sent to prison in his country.
El Salvador's stance on a contentious deportation case reached the White House yesterday when President Nayib Bukele met with U.S. President Donald Trump. Bukele adamantly refused to return Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, a man believed to have been deported from the United States incorrectly and subsequently imprisoned in one of El Salvador's notorious jails.
During the meeting, when pressed on the matter of Abrego Garcia's return, Bukele remarked, "Of course I’m not going to do it,” indicating that he viewed the act of sending Abrego Garcia back as akin to “smuggling a terrorist into the United States.” Trump's approval was evident as he smiled in response, complicating the already tense diplomatic situation.
The Supreme Court had previously ruled that the Trump administration should facilitate the return of Abrego Garcia, labeling the deportation an "administrative error." However, Trump appears to be disregarding this legal directive, thereby escalating the matter.
White House reporter Zolan Kanno-Youngs characterized the interaction as “one of the starkest examples” of how foreign leaders may attempt to win favor from Trump during their official visits, implying that Bukele’s approach was intended to strengthen bilateral ties despite the disagreement over deportation.
In addition to the tension over the deportee, the meeting touched on broader issues such as the Trump administration's proposed tariffs on imported computer chips and pharmaceuticals, as well as discussions about easing tariffs on auto parts. The possibility of U.S. tariffs negatively impacting European markets was also noted, as British officials announced measures to mitigate disruptions for their exporters amid the unfolding trade challenges.
During the meeting, when pressed on the matter of Abrego Garcia's return, Bukele remarked, "Of course I’m not going to do it,” indicating that he viewed the act of sending Abrego Garcia back as akin to “smuggling a terrorist into the United States.” Trump's approval was evident as he smiled in response, complicating the already tense diplomatic situation.
The Supreme Court had previously ruled that the Trump administration should facilitate the return of Abrego Garcia, labeling the deportation an "administrative error." However, Trump appears to be disregarding this legal directive, thereby escalating the matter.
White House reporter Zolan Kanno-Youngs characterized the interaction as “one of the starkest examples” of how foreign leaders may attempt to win favor from Trump during their official visits, implying that Bukele’s approach was intended to strengthen bilateral ties despite the disagreement over deportation.
In addition to the tension over the deportee, the meeting touched on broader issues such as the Trump administration's proposed tariffs on imported computer chips and pharmaceuticals, as well as discussions about easing tariffs on auto parts. The possibility of U.S. tariffs negatively impacting European markets was also noted, as British officials announced measures to mitigate disruptions for their exporters amid the unfolding trade challenges.
