El Salvador President Nayib Bukele Is Preparing to Meet with Donald Trump in Washington

The visit highlights their strengthening political ties, particularly in areas like immigration and security.

El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele is set to visit Washington later this month for a highly anticipated meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, multiple news outlets reported on Monday, citing sources familiar with the matter.

The visit will take place amid strengthening political ties between the two presidents, largely focused on immigration and security cooperation.

While Bukele’s office has confirmed the meeting, the White House is yet to make an official statement regarding the encounter, which is expected to occur at the White House.

Trump, known for his direct approach to foreign policy, has prioritized diplomatic engagement early in his presidency, holding talks with leaders from several major nations.

His administration has also been focused on addressing shared policy concerns, such as crime and migration, an area where the U.S. has been keen to engage more closely with Central American countries.

Bukele’s visit follows his administration’s agreement to accept Venezuelan gang members who are being deported from the U.S. These individuals will reportedly be placed in prison upon arrival in El Salvador. The move deepens the cooperation between the two nations.

“We are not interested in receiving members of gangs, but we have no problem receiving people who have committed minor offenses, such as overstaying their visas, and we will put them in a closed regime prison,” said Salvadoran Justice Minister Ana Carolina Mena.

“In exchange, we ask for minor offenses to be included in the agreement, not serious crimes,” Mena added, noting that the agreement will be signed in the coming days.

This isn’t the first time Bukele has shown openness to U.S. demands. In February, he suggested that his country could receive deportees from other nations in exchange for financial compensation, an offer that was met with amusement by some social media users.

Bukele’s lighthearted social media post, where he joked about bringing Diet Coke—a known Trump favorite—to the meeting, indicates an amicable atmosphere for their discussions.

Besides deportation policies, broader topics like trade, regional security, and migration reforms could also feature in their talks. Given Bukele’s pro-Bitcoin stance and El Salvador’s adoption of the cryptocurrency as legal tender in 2021, digital assets and financial innovation may be part of the conversation as well.

El Salvador’s decision to adopt Bitcoin has made it a point of interest for global financial institutions, some of which have expressed skepticism over the move.

Despite reports of the meeting, the White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment, leaving some uncertainty around the encounter.

However, both sides appear to be preparing for discussions that could influence U.S.-El Salvador relations for years to come. A stronger alliance may bring economic and political advantages for El Salvador while helping the U.S. advance its immigration and security policies in the region.

As the presidents’ visit approaches later this month, more details are likely to emerge, shedding light on the priorities and possible agreements between the two leaders.