Rubio's 'National Security' Sacrifices Informants for Strongman Hugs
The Independent reports that Senator Marco Rubio allegedly betrayed US-protected drug gang informants to ink a prison deal with El Salvador's Nayib Bukele. This 'national security' move reportedly abandoned individuals whose cooperation was vital to US efforts against transnational crime. One might wonder if 'national security' now includes cozying up to leaders who consolidate power and jail
opponents – a far cry from the democratic ideals Rubio often invokes when criticizing adversaries. This isn't an isolated incident. The US has a long history of backing authoritarian figures in Latin America under the guise of 'stability' or 'drug wars,' often with disastrous human rights consequences. For Rubio, whose 2016 presidential campaign received over $30,000 from defense contractors and
pro-Israel PACs (OpenSecrets.org), it seems 'security interests' are flexible. The price of cozying up to Bukele, who dismantled judicial independence and cracked down on dissent, appears to be paid in the blood of those who trusted American protection. Some 'freedom fighter.'