El Salvador’s provocative President Nayib Bukele—frequently referred to as the “world’s coolest dictator”—met with former U.S. President Donald Trump to talk about bilateral cooperation to stem illegal migration into the United States. The meeting emphasizes Trump’s ongoing relevance to U.S. immigration policy and his alignment with hardline foreign leaders.
Key Points of the Meeting
1. Emphasis on Migration Crackdown
Conversations revolved around sharer of tactics to discourage migration, such as:
Tight border control (patterned after Bukele’s “Territorial Control Plan”).
En masse deportations and detention policies.
Trump complimented Bukele’s radical decrease of Salvadoran migration to the U.S. during his leadership.
2. Bukele’s Questionable Record
The 43-year-old leader has been accused of:
Authoritarian rule (jailing opponents, stifling press freedom).
Human rights abuses under his “state of emergency” (more than 76,000 arrests, several with no due process).
Centralizing power after defeating term limits.
Bukele, despite a public critique, is still hugely popular in El Salvador for stomping out gang violence (homicides fell more than 50%).
3. Political Implications
Trump’s Endorsement: Indicates his 2024 campaign’s tough immigration policy, potentially affecting Biden’s policies.
Bukele’s U.S. Image: The meeting enhances his international legitimacy despite rights issues.
Why This Matters
U.S. Migration Policy: May witness tougher measures driven by Bukele’s strategy.
Human Rights Debate: Raises issues regarding Trump-Bukele convergence on authoritarian methods.
Latin America Relations: Mirrors increasing U.S. relations with anti-migration strongmen.
Reactions & Fallout
Critics: Warn of normalizing authoritarianism in U.S. foreign policy.
Supporters: Believe Bukele’s “iron fist” works—Salvadoran gangs are shattered, and migration dropped.
