On April 14, 2025, President Donald Trump hosted El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele at the White House, marking a significant moment in U.S.-El Salvador relations. During their meeting, Bukele, known for his stringent anti-crime policies, offered to assist the U.S. in combating crime and terrorism, drawing parallels between El Salvador’s transformation and the challenges faced by the United States.
The Guardian
Bukele highlighted El Salvador’s drastic reduction in crime rates, attributing it to his administration’s tough stance on criminal activities. He proposed that the U.S. could adopt similar measures to “liberate” its citizens from the grip of crime and terrorism. This proposal aligns with the Trump administration’s focus on stringent immigration and crime policies.
A notable point of discussion was the controversial deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident mistakenly deported to El Salvador. Despite a U.S. Supreme Court ruling deeming the deportation an administrative error, both Trump and Bukele expressed reluctance to facilitate Garcia’s return, citing concerns over national security and legal authority .
Further, Trump suggested the possibility of deporting U.S. citizens with violent criminal records to El Salvador’s high-security prison, CECOT. Bukele responded by indicating that El Salvador would need to expand its prison infrastructure to accommodate such individuals, reflecting the deepening cooperation between the two nations on security matters .
The meeting also touched upon social issues, with both leaders expressing opposition to the inclusion of biological men in women’s sports, framing it as a matter of protecting women’s rights.
This meeting underscores the strengthening alliance between the U.S. and El Salvador, centered on shared goals of combating crime and enhancing national security.