Kristi Noem visits CECOT in El Salvador

As part of the joint efforts of Presidents Nayib Bukele and Donald Trump to strengthen security in the region, I had the honor of welcoming the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, who is on an official visit to our country to witness firsthand the strong results of the Territorial Control Plan and the War Against Gangs.

During her visit, we toured the Center for the Confinement of Terrorism (CECOT), the largest maximum-security prison in the Americas.

Additionally, we signed a Memorandum of Cooperation to renew the Security Alliance for Fugitive Enforcement (SAFE) between our countries.

With this agreement, we will have a more efficient exchange of information and criminal records of fugitives, ensuring that these criminals are not inadvertently at large.

Undoubtedly, this will be an enriching experience to share the achievements in security and strengthen our strategies in the fight against transnational organized crime and terrorism.

Security cooperation between El Salvador and the United States has significantly intensified during the administrations of Nayib Bukele and Donald Trump. Both countries have implemented joint strategies to combat illegal immigration and dismantle transnational criminal organizations.

In January 2025, Presidents Trump and Bukele held a phone conversation in which they discussed the possibility of collaborating to stop illegal immigration and combat gangs such as Tren de Aragua. Trump praised Bukele’s leadership and described him as an example for other nations in the Western Hemisphere.

Subsequently, in February 2025, El Salvador offered the United States the possibility of outsourcing part of its prison system by accepting convicted criminals, including U.S. citizens, into its mega-prison (CECOT) in exchange for a fee. This agreement aims to alleviate prison overcrowding in the United States and strengthen bilateral security cooperation.

In March 2025, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem visited El Salvador to witness firsthand the results of the Territorial Control Plan and the War on Gangs. During her visit, she toured the Center for the Confinement of Terrorism (CECOT) and signed a cooperation memorandum to renew the Security Alliance for Fugitive Enforcement (SAFE) between both countries.

Additionally, in October 2024, El Salvador and the United States agreed to cooperate in strengthening strategies for the prevention and investigation of transnational crimes and enhancing border security. This memorandum of understanding also facilitates the movement of legitimate travelers between both countries.

These actions reflect a strengthened relationship between the two nations, focused on addressing common challenges in security and migration.