TOPIC

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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

last updated:

27 September, 2024

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is a long-time China hawk who has a history of engaging leaders in Latin America. Photo: Reuters

US-China relations

Eyeing China, Rubio makes Central America his first trip as top US diplomat

Countering Beijing and ‘deepening economic partnerships’ to boost regional prosperity said to be on agenda in tour that starts in Panama.

1 Feb 2025 - 5:36AMvideocam

Bitcoin

El Salvador’s President Bukele triumphant after his bet on bitcoin comes true

6 Dec 2024 - 7:20AM

Art

Mural paintings make a bullet-scarred neighbourhood ‘proud’

19 Sep 2024 - 7:15PM

Americas and the Caribbean

El Salvador’s Bukele threatens to hit price gougers with anti-gang tactics

The self-styled ‘world’s coolest dictator’ warned that he was ‘not playing around’ and that he expected prices to come down ‘by tomorrow’.

7 Jul 2024 - 6:40AM

El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele speaks during the inauguration of Google’s headquarters in San Salvador in April. Photo: AFP

Americas and the Caribbean

El Salvador’s President Bukele declares landslide victory in election

‘World’s Coolest Dictator’ Nayib Bukele claims a second five-year term in El Salvador, riding a wave of support for his no-limit ‘war’ on gangs.

5 Feb 2024 - 3:09PM

Americas and the Caribbean

‘World’s Coolest Dictator’ set for landslide election win for war on gangs

In less than five years, President Nayib Bukele has transformed El Salvador from a country infamous for its record on murder and gangs to a nation with one of the lowest homicide rates in the Americas.

31 Jan 2024 - 12:45PM

Fifa

Messi, Suarez exit at half-time as Hong Kong-bound Inter Miami start world tour

Low-key debut for Suarez as marquee stars play first half in El Salvador, before hectic preseason schedule takes them to Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong and Japan.

20 Jan 2024 - 1:36PM

Inter Miami’s Luis Suarez shows his disappointment after missing a chance to score against El Salvador. Photo: AP

Americas and the Caribbean

Nicaragua wins Miss Universe for first time as Pakistan, Portugal make history

Miss Nicaragua took the crown in El Salvador, as multiple contestants made history, including the first participant to wear a burkini and the pageant’s first transgender contestant to place in the top 20.

19 Nov 2023 - 2:33PM

Americas and the Caribbean

Inside El Salvador ‘mega prison’ holding 12,000 accused gang members

Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele’s relentless war on gangs is steadily filling the cellblocks of a massive prison that may be Latin America’s largest.

23 Aug 2023 - 1:03PM

Fame and celebrity

Meet Rikkie Kolle, the first transgender woman to win Miss Netherlands

The 22-year-old called her historic beauty pageant win ‘the big dream’ and will go on to compete for the Miss Universe crown in El Salvador – but how did she get here?

1 Aug 2023 - 5:04PM

Rikkie Valerie Kolle, the first transgender woman to be crowned Miss Netherlands in 94 years, puts on her makeup in Voorthuizen, Netherlands, on July 12. Photo: Reuters

Americas and the Caribbean

‘Dictator of El Salvador’ basks in popularity as he wages war on gangs

In his four years as president, Nayib Bukele has shaken up El Salvador: consolidating power, making Bitcoin legal tender and building the largest prison in the Americas.

31 May 2023 - 2:37PM

Inmates belonging to the MS-13 and 18 gangs that arrived at a new prison, dubbed the ‘Terrorist Confinement Centre’ in Tecoluca, El Salvador. Photo: Salvadorean Presidency via AFP

Fifa

Fifa statement after football stadium stampede kills at least 12 in El Salvador

Initial reports point to crush of fans trying to enter Cuscatlan Stadium in San Salvador to watch match between Alianza and FAS, authorities say.

21 May 2023 - 7:58PM

Americas and the Caribbean

El Salvador moves thousands to ‘mega prison’ amid gang crackdown

The 40,000-person facility – thought to be the largest in the Americas – is opening as a wave of anti-crime arrests sends the nation’s inmate population soaring.

25 Feb 2023 - 5:40AM

China trade

China launches free-trade talks with El Salvador in America’s ‘backyard’

China and El Salvador will begin free-trade talks with the aim of finalising a deal ‘as soon as possible’, Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele and the Chinese foreign ministry say.

10 Nov 2022 - 11:25PMvideocam

China and El Salvador will soon begin free-trade talks, Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele and Chinese ambassador Ou Jianhong have confirmed. Photo: Reuters

Americas and the Caribbean

El Salvador leader warns he’ll cut all food for gang inmates after killings

A recent spate of homicides prompted President Nayib Bukele to declare a state of emergency, with some 6,000 street gang members rounded up.

6 Apr 2022 - 1:22PM

A soldier searches people at a checkpoint on Monday after El Salvador’s Congress approved emergency powers that temporarily suspended some constitutional protections. Photo: Reuters

Americas and the Caribbean

El Salvador declares state of emergency amid wave of killings

Fourteen people were killed on Friday and 62 people died on Saturday, a scale of violence that has not been seen for years.

28 Mar 2022 - 3:29AM