Washington, D.C. – April 3, 2025: U.S. President Donald Trump has extended an invitation to Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele for a White House visit on April 14, 2025, as announced by Bukele in a social media post on X. The invitation, shared via a screenshot of Trump’s letter, highlights the growing partnership between the two leaders, particularly in addressing illegal immigration and gang-related issues through deportations.
In the letter, Trump expressed gratitude for Bukele’s support of his administration’s policy to expel prisoners to El Salvador. “Your support of my efforts to combat illegal immigration is greatly appreciated,” Trump wrote, emphasizing Bukele’s willingness to accept deportees, whom Trump described as “gang members,” into El Salvador’s CECOT mega jail complex. The Republican leader also noted his desire to discuss how the U.S. and El Salvador can further “support each other,” underscoring the importance of Bukele’s cooperation in jailing deportees as a cornerstone of their bilateral relationship.
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Bukele, who has led El Salvador since 2019, has garnered international attention for his hardline approach to crime. By suspending warrants and due process, his administration has incarcerated nearly 2% of the country’s 6 million people, slashing the annual murder rate from over 6,500 to just 114, per official data. Dramatic videos of chained, tattooed men being escorted off planes have won Bukele praise from Trump, who has lauded the Salvadoran leader’s tough stance on gangs.
However, the partnership has not shielded El Salvador from broader U.S. trade policies. On Wednesday, the Trump administration imposed a 10% tariff on Salvadoran exports to the U.S., a move that has sparked debate about the balance of cooperation and economic pressure in the two nations’ relationship. As the White House meeting approaches, observers are keen to see how Bukele and Trump will navigate these dynamics.
Key Points: Trump Invites Salvadoran President Bukele to White House
- White House Invitation: U.S. President Donald Trump invited Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele to the White House for a meeting on April 14, 2025, as shared by Bukele on X.
- Deportation Support: Trump praised Bukele for accepting U.S. deportees, labeled as “gang members,” into El Salvador’s CECOT mega jail, strengthening their partnership.
- Mutual Cooperation: Trump expressed interest in discussing how the U.S. and El Salvador can further support each other, highlighting the importance of Bukele’s role in jailing deportees.
- Bukele’s Policies: Since 2019, Bukele has jailed nearly 2% of El Salvador’s population, reducing the murder rate from over 6,500 to 114 annually, often bypassing due process.
- Trump’s Admiration: Trump has lauded Bukele’s tough anti-gang measures, including dramatic videos of deportees being escorted off planes in chains.
- Trade Tensions: Despite their alliance, El Salvador faces a 10% tariff on exports to the U.S., imposed by the Trump administration on April 2, 2025.
