CurrentReport Blog El Salvador President Nayib Bukele has firmly stated he will not return Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the man the U.S. Justice Department admits was mistakenly deported to El Salvador.
Speaking alongside former U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday, Bukele dismissed the idea of returning Garcia to the United States. “How can I return him to the United States? Like if I smuggle him into the United States?” Bukele said. “Of course I’m not going to do it. The question is preposterous.”
When asked whether Garcia would be released in El Salvador, Bukele added, “We’re not very fond of releasing terrorists.”
However, according to court records, Garcia has never been criminally charged in either the United States or El Salvador.
Trump, standing beside Bukele, criticized the media present, saying, “They’d love to have a criminal released into our country. These are sick people.”
The case continues to draw international scrutiny over deportation procedures, due process, and bilateral cooperation on immigration and law enforcement issues.
