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El Salvador

The latest news, analysis and opinion on El Salvador. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

San Salvador

Head of State

President Nayib Bukele

Head of Government

President Nayib Bukele

Alleged gang members during their mass trial at El Salvador’s CECOT. Photo: Reuters

Americas and the Caribbean

Shackled and shaved: El Salvador holds mass trial for hundreds of gang members

President Nayib Bukele – the self-described ‘world’s coolest dictator’ – publicises the largest mass trial yet of his gang crackdown.

24 Apr 2026 - 3:10PM

Americas and the Caribbean

Trump offers Latin American leaders US missile strikes to hit drug cartels

8 Mar 2026 - 1:46AM

United States

US$35 million for 300: US deports migrants to remote islands, African nations

14 Feb 2026 - 9:24AM

Americas and the Caribbean

Costa Rica elects tough-talking right-winger for president

Laura Fernandez, a protege and former chief of staff of the outgoing president, has pledged to continue his tough security policies.

2 Feb 2026 - 3:06PM

Laura Fernandez waves to supporters during her victory speech. Photo: AFP

United States

Explainer | US interventions in Latin America: a history of coups and conflicts

From the Bay of Pigs to Operation Condor to Venezuela in 2026: A look at the legacy of CIA-backed coups and US military action in Latin America.

3 Jan 2026 - 11:16PM

Donald Trump

Pulled story on Trump immigration crackdown accidentally airs on Canadian app

The ‘60 Minutes’ segment on migrants sent to a notorious El Salvador mega-prison was quickly removed, but copies have spread online.

24 Dec 2025 - 8:04AM

United States

Trump administration triples ‘self-deport’ stipend to US$3,000

The limited-time offer includes a free flight and requires use of the CBP Home app before the end of the year.

22 Dec 2025 - 10:14PM

US officials oversee a deportation flight at Fort Bliss, Texas in February. Photo: Department of Defence/AFP

United States

Did ‘political’ reasons postpone ‘60 Minutes’ report on El Salvador prison?

CBS delayed its CECOT prison report, where the US has sent hundreds of migrants, citing more reporting and sparking outcry over censorship.

22 Dec 2025 - 9:38PM

China-Latin America relations

China seeks greater influence in US backyard

The US is trying to shut China out of Latin America, even as the Asian nation outlines plans to further grow trade and investment in the resource-rich region.

17 Dec 2025 - 5:00PM

United States

US judge blocks ICE from re-detaining Abrego Garcia

The order comes less than a day after Kilmar Abrego Garcia, previously wrongfully deported to El Salvador, was released from immigration detention.

12 Dec 2025 - 10:29PM

Kilmar Abrego Garcia (centre) arrives for a rally prior to his check in at an ICE field office in Baltimore on Friday. Photo: EPA

United States

Judge orders release of Salvadorean who was wrongfully deported by Trump admin

The case has highlighted the president’s hardline immigration stance, with officials saying Abrego Garcia will never again be free in the US.

12 Dec 2025 - 7:15AMvideocam

Kilmar Abrego Garcia attends a protest rally at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office in Baltimore in August. Photo: AP

Donald Trump

This Thanksgiving, Trump pardons turkeys and roasts foes

The US president took aim at senior Democrats Schumer and Pelosi, predecessor Joe Biden and son Hunter, and Chicago’s J.B. Pritzker.

26 Nov 2025 - 11:01AM

Americas and the Caribbean

Ecuador voters reject return of US bases, in blow to Trump ally Noboa

Vote effectively blocks the US from returning to an airbase that was once a hub for its anti-drug operations.

17 Nov 2025 - 4:28PM

Donald Trump

Trump cuts tariffs on beef, coffee and other foods, in inflation U-turn

The move marks a sharp reversal from the US president, who has insisted that his import duties are not fuelling higher grocery prices.

15 Nov 2025 - 1:21PM

US President Donald Trump speaks in the East Room of the White House on Thursday. Photo: AFP

United States

Bananas and beef: White House unveils Latin America trade deals

Argentina, Guatemala, Ecuador and El Salvador have agreed to open their markets to US products in exchange for tariff relief on some items.

14 Nov 2025 - 7:38AM

Handlers shake hands at the livestock market in Canuelas, Argentina’s main cattle trading hub, in October. Photo: AP

United States

Trump’s deportation of Abrego Garcia likely vindictive: judge

The judge cited ‘remarkable statements’ from a Deputy Attorney General as evidence the indictment was retaliatory for the deportee’s challenge.

4 Oct 2025 - 8:30AM

United States

Abrego Garcia denied asylum in US immigration case, appeal pending

The ruling follows the Salvadorean’s mistaken deportation in March, which has been a focal point in the debate over Trump’s immigration policy.

3 Oct 2025 - 12:02AM

Stablecoins

Stablecoin giant Tether seeks funding at US$500 billion valuation

Tether is in talks with investors to raise as much as US$20 billion through a private placement.

24 Sep 2025 - 4:52PMvideocam

Tether’s USDT stablecoin has a market value of US$172 billion. Photo: Shutterstock

US immigration

US federal judge blocks Trump effort to expand speedy deportations

The order is a setback for the Trump administration’s goal of deporting 1 million migrants a year.

1 Sep 2025 - 12:23PM

United States

Why are so many nations accepting deportees from Trump’s America?

Aid, political support, and trade deals might be motivating these controversial agreements.

28 Aug 2025 - 5:27PM

United States

Kilmar Abrego Garcia seeks asylum in US to prevent deportation to Uganda

By seeking asylum in the US, the wrongfully deported Salvadorean national reignites legal battles and highlights policy contradictions.

28 Aug 2025 - 12:35AM

Kilmar Abrego Garcia attends a protest rally in Baltimore on Monday. Photo: AP

United States

US federal judge dismisses Trump lawsuit in Maryland deportation case

A Trump-appointed judge questioned the Trump administration’s lawsuit against all 15 Maryland judges challenging a deportation pause order.

26 Aug 2025 - 11:18PM

Donald Trump

Trump suggests Americans ‘like a dictator’ as he clamps down on Washington

Trump complained that he was not getting credit for his National Guard-backed crackdown on crime and immigration in the US capital.

26 Aug 2025 - 9:22AM

United States

Abrego Garcia faces deportation again as he surrenders to ICE

The Trump administration is pushing for his removal from the US amid contested gang allegations and smuggling charges.

25 Aug 2025 - 9:27PM

United States

Wrongly deported Abrego Garcia could be sent to Uganda after rejecting plea deal

Abrego Garcia’s case became a flashpoint in Trump’s immigration agenda after he was mistakenly deported to El Salvador in March.

24 Aug 2025 - 5:03AM

Kilmar Abrego Garcia, (centre), leaves the Putnam County Jail in Cookeville, Tennessee on Friday. Photo: AP

Venezuela

US doubles reward for arrest of Venezuela’s Maduro to US$50 million

The Trump administration has accused Venezuela’s president of being one of the world’s largest narco-traffickers.

8 Aug 2025 - 2:27PM

Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro. Photo: AFP

US immigration

Rwanda says reached deal to take up to 250 migrants deported from US

Trump administration is seeking to ramp up removals to third countries, including convicted criminals to South Sudan and eSwatini.

5 Aug 2025 - 1:19PM

Americas and the Caribbean

El Salvador clears path for endless Bukele rule by scrapping term limits

Changes will allow indefinite presidential re-election, extend terms from five years to six and scrap run-offs.

1 Aug 2025 - 3:08PM

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El Salvador

Shackled and shaved: El Salvador holds mass trial for hundreds of gang members

President Nayib Bukele – the self-described ‘world’s coolest dictator’ – publicises the largest mass trial yet of his gang crackdown.

Trump offers Latin American leaders US missile strikes to hit drug cartels

US$35 million for 300: US deports migrants to remote islands, African nations

Costa Rica elects tough-talking right-winger for president

Laura Fernandez, a protege and former chief of staff of the outgoing president, has pledged to continue his tough security policies.

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Explainer | US interventions in Latin America: a history of coups and conflicts

From the Bay of Pigs to Operation Condor to Venezuela in 2026: A look at the legacy of CIA-backed coups and US military action in Latin America.

Pulled story on Trump immigration crackdown accidentally airs on Canadian app

The ‘60 Minutes’ segment on migrants sent to a notorious El Salvador mega-prison was quickly removed, but copies have spread online.

Trump administration triples ‘self-deport’ stipend to US$3,000

The limited-time offer includes a free flight and requires use of the CBP Home app before the end of the year.

Did ‘political’ reasons postpone ‘60 Minutes’ report on El Salvador prison?

CBS delayed its CECOT prison report, where the US has sent hundreds of migrants, citing more reporting and sparking outcry over censorship.

China seeks greater influence in US backyard

The US is trying to shut China out of Latin America, even as the Asian nation outlines plans to further grow trade and investment in the resource-rich region.

US judge blocks ICE from re-detaining Abrego Garcia

The order comes less than a day after Kilmar Abrego Garcia, previously wrongfully deported to El Salvador, was released from immigration detention.

Judge orders release of Salvadorean who was wrongfully deported by Trump admin

The case has highlighted the president’s hardline immigration stance, with officials saying Abrego Garcia will never again be free in the US.

This Thanksgiving, Trump pardons turkeys and roasts foes

The US president took aim at senior Democrats Schumer and Pelosi, predecessor Joe Biden and son Hunter, and Chicago’s J.B. Pritzker.

Ecuador voters reject return of US bases, in blow to Trump ally Noboa

Vote effectively blocks the US from returning to an airbase that was once a hub for its anti-drug operations.

Trump cuts tariffs on beef, coffee and other foods, in inflation U-turn

The move marks a sharp reversal from the US president, who has insisted that his import duties are not fuelling higher grocery prices.

Bananas and beef: White House unveils Latin America trade deals

Argentina, Guatemala, Ecuador and El Salvador have agreed to open their markets to US products in exchange for tariff relief on some items.

Trump’s deportation of Abrego Garcia likely vindictive: judge

The judge cited ‘remarkable statements’ from a Deputy Attorney General as evidence the indictment was retaliatory for the deportee’s challenge.

Abrego Garcia denied asylum in US immigration case, appeal pending

The ruling follows the Salvadorean’s mistaken deportation in March, which has been a focal point in the debate over Trump’s immigration policy.

Stablecoin giant Tether seeks funding at US$500 billion valuation

Tether is in talks with investors to raise as much as US$20 billion through a private placement.

US federal judge blocks Trump effort to expand speedy deportations

The order is a setback for the Trump administration’s goal of deporting 1 million migrants a year.

Why are so many nations accepting deportees from Trump’s America?

Aid, political support, and trade deals might be motivating these controversial agreements.

Kilmar Abrego Garcia seeks asylum in US to prevent deportation to Uganda

By seeking asylum in the US, the wrongfully deported Salvadorean national reignites legal battles and highlights policy contradictions.

US federal judge dismisses Trump lawsuit in Maryland deportation case

A Trump-appointed judge questioned the Trump administration’s lawsuit against all 15 Maryland judges challenging a deportation pause order.

Trump suggests Americans ‘like a dictator’ as he clamps down on Washington

Trump complained that he was not getting credit for his National Guard-backed crackdown on crime and immigration in the US capital.

Abrego Garcia faces deportation again as he surrenders to ICE

The Trump administration is pushing for his removal from the US amid contested gang allegations and smuggling charges.

Wrongly deported Abrego Garcia could be sent to Uganda after rejecting plea deal

Abrego Garcia’s case became a flashpoint in Trump’s immigration agenda after he was mistakenly deported to El Salvador in March.

US doubles reward for arrest of Venezuela’s Maduro to US$50 million

The Trump administration has accused Venezuela’s president of being one of the world’s largest narco-traffickers.

Rwanda says reached deal to take up to 250 migrants deported from US

Trump administration is seeking to ramp up removals to third countries, including convicted criminals to South Sudan and eSwatini.

El Salvador clears path for endless Bukele rule by scrapping term limits

Changes will allow indefinite presidential re-election, extend terms from five years to six and scrap run-offs.

Explainer | US interventions in Latin America: a history of coups and conflicts