261 gang members deported from US arrive in El Salvador

ANKARA/BOGOTA, Colombia

El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele said Sunday that 238 members of the Tren de Aragua gang and 23 members of MS-13 deported from the US have arrived in the capital, San Salvador.

The gang members will be transferred to the CECOT mega-prison, he said on X, adding that over time, these measures, combined with the "Zero Free Time" program involving more than 40,000 inmates, will contribute to making the prison system self-sustaining.

Among those deported are two senior gang leaders, one of whom is part of MS-13’s top leadership, Bukele noted.

He emphasized that this will aid intelligence efforts in dismantling the gang’s remaining structure.

"Our work will continue to expose the full network, including former and new members, money, weapons, drugs, hideouts, collaborators and sponsors," he said.

Bukele reaffirmed his government’s commitment to fighting organized crime while also assisting allies, making the prison system self-sufficient, and acquiring vital security intelligence. "All in a single operation," he concluded.