The US Secretary of Defense will travel on a tour through El Salvador, Colombia, and Mexico to address migration issues
On Thursday, March 27, the Secretary will travel to Colombia to meet with President Gustavo Petro and other key officials of the Colombian government.
This meeting follows a previous disagreement between Petro and the Trump administration, when the Colombian president refused to receive deportees citing alleged abuses and mistreatment.
After tariff threats from Trump, Petro relented and agreed to receive the deportees again.
The Secretary of Homeland Security of the United States, Kristi Noem, will make an official visit to Mexico this week. During her trip, she plans to meet with President Claudia Sheinbaum to discuss crucial issues related to migration and security in the region.
This visit is part of a tour of several Latin American countries, including El Salvador and Colombia. The goal is to address the migrant crisis affecting the United States.
This migrant crisis has forced the U.S. to seek cooperation from neighboring nations, such as Mexico and Central American countries, to implement regional solutions.
On Wednesday, March 26, Noem will begin her tour in El Salvador. During her visit, she will go to the Center for Terrorist Confinement (CECOT), where more than 200 Venezuelan migrants deported by the United States are held.
U.S. authorities claim that these migrants are members of the criminal gang Tren de Aragua, an organization that the government of Donald Trump had labeled as terrorist.
Additionally, Noem will meet with President Nayib Bukele, who has agreed to receive the deportees in exchange for a payment.
On Friday, March 28, Noem will be in Mexico, where she will meet with President Sheinbaum and Foreign Minister Juan Ramón de la Fuente.
Migration will be the central topic of the conversation, as the solution concerns both countries. Let's remember that the number of migrants attempting to cross into the U.S. has shown a significant drop, although authorities remain alert to constant flows.
The trip to Central and South America highlights the importance of international collaboration in the fight against organized crime and illegal migration.
"Our partner countries play an essential role in the removal of violent illegal foreign criminals from the United States," stated Tricia McLaughlin, Deputy Secretary of Public Affairs for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
