Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed on Monday that the U.S. and El Salvador have carried out another successful prisoner transfer involving many “extremely dangerous” MS-13 and Tren de Aragua gang members.
“Last night, in a successful counter-terrorism operation with our allies in El Salvador, the United States military transferred a group of 17 violent criminals from the Tren de Aragua and MS-13 organizations, including murderers and rapists,” Rubio said.
“In order to keep the American people safe, @POTUS designated the Tren de Aragua and MS-13 as Foreign Terrorist Organizations. These criminals will no longer terrorize our communities and citizens,” he continued.
“Once again, we extend our gratitude to @nayibbukele and the government of El Salvador for their unparalleled partnership in making our countries safe against transnational crime and terrorism,” his post concluded.
El Salvador President Nayib Bukele shared a video of the transfer on X with the following message:
Last night, in a joint military operation with our allies from the United States, we transferred 17 extremely dangerous criminals linked to Tren de Aragua and MS-13. All individuals are confirmed murderers and high-profile offenders, including six child rapists. This operation is another step in the fight against terrorism and organized crime.
Fox News border correspondent Bill Melugin shared information about the 17 criminals transferred.
From Melugin’s X post:
They include 7 alleged TdA members & several convicted murderers, rapists, & pedophiles. None were removed via the Alien Enemies Act. All were deported via Title 8/regular US immigration law, and all had final orders of removal/deportation orders. Trump WH officials have provided a list of names and criminal histories of the aliens who were sent to El Salvador. All details below, according to WH:
ELMER CONCEPCION ROMERO YANES, a Salvadoran national convicted of homicide.
KEIVIS JESUS ARRECHEDERA VASQUEZ, a Venezuelan national/alleged Tren de Aragua leader with pending drug charges. WH provided photos of him w/ crown tattoos.
CARLOS ALVARENGA GUILLEN, a Salvadoran national convicted of rape & aggravated assault of minor.
JORGE GUERRERO-QUINTERO, an alleged Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang member convicted of sex crime/assault on a minor & criminal weapon possession.
FELIPE GOMEZ, a Salvadoran national convicted of homicide.
LEANDRO HERADO ZAMBRANO, a Venezuelan alleged Tren de Aragua member w/ pending charges for kidnapping & assault.
RAFAEL MEJIA, a Salvadoran national convicted of child molestation and multiple lewd acts w/ a child.
BRAYANT SILVA RAUSEO, a Venezuelan self-admitted Tren de Aragua gang member.
LINO PEREZ DELGADO, a Salvadoran national convicted of sexual assault of a minor.
JOSE MORALES-HERNANDEZ, a Salvadoran national convicted of homicide, negligent manslaughter.
ELMER ESCOBAR GONZALEZ, a Salvadoran national convicted of sexual assault. JOSE
MEDRANO HERNANDEZ, a Salvadoran national convicted of aggravated sexual abuse of a child.
ALEJANDRO RAMOS, a Salvadoran national convicted of sexual exploitation of a minor under age 13 & aggravated assault.
MAIKER ESPINOZA ESCALONA, a Venezuelan national alleged to be a confirmed Tren de Aragua gang member convicted of prostitution & recruiting.
RICARDO JARAMILLO LABRADOR, a Venezuelan alleged Tren de Aragua gang member convicted of unlawful detention & disorderly conduct.
VICTOR ORTEGA-BURBANO, a Venezuelan alleged Tren de Aragua gang member w/ pending charges for discharge of firearm & theft. WH Press Secretary @PressSec provides the following statement to FOX: “Every day, America becomes safer, thanks to the leadership of President Trump. If you’re an illegal terrorist or criminal – the Trump administration is coming for you.”
Watch video of the transfer below:
