US Accused of Shielding El Salvador President by Dropping Charges Against MS-13 Boss

Court documents reveal that the Trump administration is seeking to dismiss criminal charges against Vladimir Antonio Arevalo-Chavez, a top MS-13 leader, to facilitate his deportation to El Salvador. Critics and the defense argue this is an attempt to protect Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, who allegedly forged a secret deal with MS-13 in 2019 for political support and reduced violence.
Arevalo-Chavez is a member of MS-13’s top leadership and faces racketeering and terrorism charges in New York. The justice department’s rationale for dropping the case centers on “sensitive” foreign policy concerns and national security, suggesting prosecution should occur in El Salvador. Critics claim this is a ploy to keep Arevalo-Chavez from testifying in the US about Bukele’s links to the gang.
A judge has temporarily blocked his removal from US custody, preventing immediate deportation. The move follows a similar case involving another MS-13 leader and has drawn accusations of a coordinated cover-up between the US and El Salvador.