By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Carlos Cartagena López, a prominent El Salvador gang leader, gave an interview detailing his gang’s secret pact with President Nayib Bukele, revealing how they allegedly helped Bukele rise to power in exchange for favors. This pact, involving warnings of police operations and community projects, allegedly included gang intimidation of political opponents to secure Bukele’s electoral victories. López’s release from prison, despite accusations of homicide and extortion, further underscores the clandestine nature of this relationship. The revelation comes amidst a brutal government crackdown resulting in tens of thousands of arrests under inhumane conditions and hundreds of deaths, highlighting the ongoing consequences of this political alliance. The interview adds crucial details to existing evidence of Bukele’s dealings with gangs, underscoring the urgent need for further investigation into this complex situation.
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A gang leader, César Humberto López Larios, alias Greñas de Stoners, released by El Salvador’s President Bukele, has revealed details of a pact between the government and MS-13. This revelation, while not widely reported, paints a disturbing picture of potential collusion at the highest levels.
The story begins with Greñas’ arrest in 2019 on terrorism charges by the US. He was then sent to El Salvador, only to be released by Bukele. This wasn’t an isolated incident; Greñas’ case appears to be part of a larger pattern of dealings between the government and gang leaders.
Subsequently, Greñas reappeared in Mexico, and was eventually re-arrested and extradited back to the United States. Notably, he was sent back to El Salvador a second time by the Trump administration, only to be released again, highlighting the apparent ongoing arrangement. The fact that this cycle repeated suggests a pre-arranged understanding, a deeply concerning arrangement that raises serious questions about the motives behind such actions.
According to accounts, the agreements between Bukele and gang leaders involved a quid pro quo: the gangs offered their support to Bukele in exchange for their freedom and a degree of leniency. This support consisted of intimidating and threatening opposition activists, coercing voters to support Bukele, and ultimately suppressing dissent. Essentially, the gangs served as an arm of the government, working to maintain Bukele’s power and stifle opposition.
The implications of such collusion are profound. This arrangement casts a shadow of doubt on Bukele’s much-touted crackdown on gang violence. The narrative of a strongman fighting crime appears to be carefully constructed, masking a deep, troubling alliance. It also raises questions about the complicity of the US government, particularly given Trump’s direct involvement in the transfer of Greñas. The US government’s actions seem contradictory; on one hand, they arrest gang leaders for terrorism, but then seem to facilitate their release.
This isn’t just about El Salvador; it reflects broader concerns about the interplay between governments and criminal organizations in the region. There are suggestions that this pattern extends beyond Bukele’s regime, potentially involving other Latin American governments, raising questions about the extent of such arrangements.
The silence surrounding this story raises additional concerns. The lack of widespread reporting and the limited public discussion fuels suspicion that powerful entities may be actively suppressing the truth. This points to a far larger problem of accountability and transparency, with the potential for similar arrangements happening elsewhere without public scrutiny.
While some have labeled reports like this as “hit pieces,” the available evidence—including prison intelligence documents, prosecutorial investigations, audio recordings, and even accusations from the U.S. State Department—suggests otherwise. The testimony of multiple gang leaders, detailing the specifics of the agreements, further substantiates claims of collusion. These claims should not be dismissed lightly.
The situation underscores the need for increased investigative journalism and greater scrutiny of the relationships between governments and criminal organizations, particularly in regions marred by violence and political instability. The silence surrounding this critical revelation is disturbing, and further investigations are urgently needed to unveil the full extent of the dealings and bring those responsible to account. The apparent cooperation between the US administration and Bukele’s government raises ethical concerns and demands a thorough examination of the motives and implications. This disturbing example serves as a stark reminder of the complexities and dangers inherent in the political landscape of Latin America.