WASHINGTON, DC — President Donald J. Trump welcomed Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele to the White House on Monday to highlight a coordinated crackdown on violent criminal immigrants, including members of the notorious MS-13 and Tren de Aragua gangs.
Key Points
- Trump and Bukele met at the White House to emphasize joint deportation efforts targeting violent gang members.
- At least 18 confirmed gang members were deported over the weekend, including rapists, murderers, and child predators.
- The White House cited cooperation with El Salvador as key to removing “sick criminals” from U.S. communities.
Dozens deported in recent joint operations
The White House detailed the removal of over a dozen convicted violent offenders, describing them as “cold-blooded criminals” returned to El Salvador in recent enforcement actions. Many of those deported were identified as members of Tren de Aragua or MS-13, both classified as transnational criminal organizations.
Among those removed was Jorge Luis Guerrero-Quintero, a Venezuelan national and confirmed Tren de Aragua member, convicted of raping a 14-year-old girl and multiple assault charges. Also deported was Jose Lopez-Cruz, a Salvadoran MS-13 member previously convicted of felony assault and arrested again for multiple violent offenses including firearms violations.
“These removals are part of our shared commitment to public safety,” the White House stated in a release.
Notorious gang leaders among deportees
The operation also included the removal of César Humberto López-Larios, one of the original leaders of MS-13, dubbed one of the gang’s “Twelve Apostles of the Devil.” Others deported include Salvadoran national Rafael Mejia, convicted of multiple lewd acts with a child, and Alejandro Ramos, convicted of sexually exploiting a minor under age 13.
Several Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang members were also sent back, including Keivis Jesus Arrechedera Vasquez, who has pending drug charges, and Maiker Espinoza Escalona, convicted of human trafficking and prostitution.
Federal authorities said they relied on coordination with El Salvador’s government to expedite the repatriation of fugitives and convicted felons.
Strategic partnership with El Salvador
President Trump’s meeting with Bukele centered on the success of joint enforcement strategies. According to officials, the renewed partnership has accelerated removals and facilitated the transfer of some of El Salvador’s most wanted individuals, many of whom had entered the U.S. illegally.
Also deported were individuals with convictions for sexual assault of minors, homicide, kidnapping, and firearm offenses, including Victor Ortega-Burbano, who faces pending charges for firearm discharge and theft.
The White House credited both administrations for “swiftly taking these criminals off our streets,” while signaling continued efforts to target transnational gangs operating in the U.S.
More than a dozen convicted gang members and fugitives were deported as Trump and Bukele reaffirmed a crackdown on cross-border violent crime.
