El Salvador says it won’t return mistakenly deported man to the US

El Salvador President Nayib Bukele, in an Oval Office meeting with Donald Trump, said he won’t return the wrongfully deported Maryland man, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, to the US.

Bukele called the idea of releasing the Venezuelan to America “preposterous,” adding, “We’re not very fond of releasing terrorists,” despite Abrego Garcia having no criminal charges in either country.

He remains in El Salvador’s Terrorism Confinement Center, part of a $6 million US deal to jail alleged gang members.

Bukele’s comment came after Attorney General Pam Bondi said that it’s “up to El Salvador” to decide on sending back Abrego Garcia, who she says was illegally in the US.

The US Supreme Court ruled his removal illegal and directed the government to “facilitate” his return last week.

Abrego Garcia’s lawyers argue his safe return is the US’s responsibility and that the deportation is not just an administrative error but a constitutional failure.

The next court hearing is set for Tuesday.