El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele has firmly stated that he cannot return Kilmar Abrego García, a Maryland man deported under the Alien Enemies Act, to the U.S., despite a Supreme Court ruling directing the Trump administration to facilitate his return.
Bukele dismissed the notion as "preposterous," emphasizing that he lacks the authority to "smuggle terrorists" into another country.
Abrego García, alleged by U.S. officials to be a ranking MS-13 member—a claim his family denies—is currently detained in El Salvador's overcrowded Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT).
The Trump administration maintains that facilitating his return is contingent upon El Salvador's cooperation, asserting that the U.S. is only required to remove domestic obstacles.
