The Terrorism Confinement Center (Cecot) in El Salvador serves as President Nayib Bukele’s flagship initiative to combat criminal gangs and stifle dissent. This “mega-prison” has become a focal point in the network of American deportations, aligning with Donald Trump’s hardline stance on foreigners. Both leaders employ authoritarian tactics under the guise of addressing social issues, fostering a culture of fear to maintain power.

Bukele’s partnership with Trump has internationalized his oppressive methods, resulting in a state of exception in El Salvador for three years. While official data touts reduced crime rates, the country now boasts the highest incarceration rate globally, with reports of widespread human rights abuses, including torture of prisoners, even children. Despite the grim reality, Bukele remains popular and influential across Latin America.

Trump’s approach mirrors Bukele’s, outsourcing harsh immigration measures to private entities and foreign territories, circumventing domestic legal oversight. The collaboration between the two leaders has led to arbitrary detentions and labeling of individuals as terrorists, instilling fear and silencing dissent. The narrative of enhanced security and reduced migration obscures the human cost and erosion of civil liberties under these regimes.

The alignment of Bukele and Trump demonstrates a shared understanding that leveraging fear can establish a lasting authoritarian regime. Their tactics, marked by repression and manipulation, threaten democratic norms and individual freedoms, prompting concerns about the future of governance and human rights in the region.