The Trump Justice Department has made a controversial move by dropping narco-terrorism charges against two prominent leaders of MS-13, a decision that has allowed them to return to their home country of El Salvador instead of facing prosecution in the United States. This action marks a significant shift from decades of U.S. policy aimed at arresting and prosecuting foreign criminals, particularly those involved in violent transnational crimes.
The dismissed charges were against César Humberto López-Larios, also known as a member of MS-13’s “Twelve Apostles of the Devil,” and Vladimir Antonio Arevalo-Chavez, nicknamed “the Vampire.” Both men had been in U.S. custody for years and were among the 14 alleged MS-13 leaders indicted in 2020 for offenses including murder conspiracies, drug trafficking, and alien smuggling. The indictments underscored the gang’s hierarchical and organized criminal operations.
However, in March 2025, the Justice Department requested a judge to dismiss all charges against López-Larios, citing "geopolitical, national security, foreign policy, or related reasons." Similarly, the dismissal of charges against Arevalo-Chavez was attributed to sensitive foreign policy considerations connected to a broader deal with Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele's government. The judge approved both dismissals, and the two leaders were sent back to El Salvador.
Reports indicate that this agreement was part of a larger deal in which the United States reportedly paid El Salvador $6 million to take custody of approximately 300 illegal immigrants, some of whom are alleged to be members of violent gangs like MS-13 and Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua.
Critics have raised concerns that this deal has not only compromised U.S. efforts to enforce immigration and border laws but also potentially weakened the fight against transnational crime. The Bukele administration, which has a history of negotiating with gangs like MS-13 to reduce violence in exchange for political favors, has denied any wrongdoing. However, U.S. officials have documented corrupt dealings between Bukele’s administration and MS-13 leadership since 2019.
The Vulcan task force, created under the Trump administration to target MS-13’s violent operations, now faces scrutiny over its effectiveness following the administration’s cooperation with Bukele’s government. This cooperation appears to have compromised prosecution efforts against some of the gang’s highest-ranking members.
Despite the dismissals, the prosecution of other MS-13 suspects continues in the United States. For instance, Kilmar Abrego Garcia faces U.S. charges, although his connections to MS-13 are less clear and his alleged crimes are considered less serious.
The diplomatic and legal complexities surrounding the MS-13, El Salvador, and the U.S. relationship highlight the challenges of combating transnational crime amid shifting political alliances. Critics warn that shielding top MS-13 leaders from prosecution could undermine justice and potentially embolden gang activity, both domestically and internationally.
The Justice Department has not provided clarity on whether future high-profile MS-13 prosecutions will be affected by similar agreements with foreign governments. As two major MS-13 figures have evaded U.S. prosecution, concerns grow regarding the administration’s priorities and the influence of foreign policy considerations on the criminal justice system. The full implications of the Trump administration’s decisions remain under scrutiny as legal and diplomatic reviews continue.
