El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele reportedly plans to expand the world’s largest prison, the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT), to accommodate more deportees sent from the United States, particularly under the Trump administration.
This expansion reflects the growing cooperation between Bukele’s government and the U.S. in managing deportees.
During a recent visit to the White House, Bukele informed Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem of his intention to increase the prison’s capacity to hold up to 80,000 inmates.
Currently, the facility, which opened in 2023, houses around 15,000 prisoners, including many deported from the U.S.
In their meeting, President Trump emphasized the need for additional space, suggesting that Bukele should “build about five more places.”
Bukele assured him, “We’ve got space,” to which Trump responded, “It’s not big enough.”
Noem, who toured the facility in March, confirmed the expansion plans, noting that Bukele has over 80 acres available for construction.
The U.S. government is reportedly paying $6 million to El Salvador to detain more than 250 deportees for a year, a deal partly negotiated during Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to Bukele’s residence in February.
This development raises concerns about human rights and the treatment of deportees, as the expansion of CECOT aims to further solidify El Salvador as a destination for individuals deported from the U.S.
The collaboration between the two governments highlights ongoing discussions about immigration policies and the complexities of managing deportees in a way that balances security with humanitarian considerations.
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