A high-stakes diplomatic arrangement between the Trump administration and El Salvador’s government has come under intense scrutiny following revelations that federal prosecutors are seeking to dismiss terrorism charges against a top MS-13 gang leader.
Court documents unsealed this week show the Justice Department citing “geopolitical and national security concerns” in its attempt to deport Vladimir Antonio Arevalo-Chavez rather than prosecute him in the United States. Arevalo-Chavez, who sits on MS-13’s governing “Ranfla Nacional” council, faces serious charges including racketeering and narco-terrorism conspiracy.
The timing has raised red flags among international relations experts. The deportation effort coincides with a controversial agreement allowing the U.S. to send immigrants to El Salvador’s notorious Cecot prison. More troubling are allegations that Arevalo-Chavez possesses damaging information about Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele’s past dealings with MS-13.
Justice Department records indicate Arevalo-Chavez has knowledge of a 2019 pact where Bukele’s administration allegedly provided money and territory to the gang in exchange for reduced violence and electoral support. This arrangement reportedly collapsed in 2022, leading to Bukele’s massive anti-gang crackdown that has drawn both praise and human rights concerns.
Political science professor Michael Ahn Paarlberg didn’t mince words about the implications: “This is collusion between two governments to cover up a gang pact by dropping charges on known gangsters.”
This isn’t the first such case. In March, another MS-13 leader, Cesar Humberto López-Larios, had his U.S. charges dismissed before being sent to El Salvador. Both men reportedly possessed information about Bukele’s secret negotiations with the criminal organization.