In a recent meeting held at the Presidential House, the United States Embassy expressed its congratulations to the Salvadoran government for its efforts in maintaining public security, particularly regarding the recent capture of a human trafficking network. The US Ambassador to El Salvador, William Duncan, took the opportunity to thank President Nayib Bukele for their meeting, where they discussed various matters of mutual interest in the bilateral relationship between the two countries.
Ambassador Duncan expressed his appreciation for the chance to engage with President Bukele on topics of shared concern between El Salvador and the United States. In a tweet, he stated, «I appreciate the opportunity to speak with President Nayib Bukele about issues of mutual interest in the bilateral relationship between El Salvador and the United States.» Accompanying his message was a photo from the meeting, which took place at the Presidential House.
Last week, the US Embassy in El Salvador commended the work of the Attorney General’s Office (FGR) for successfully apprehending 43 individuals suspected of being involved in a human trafficking network. This recognition comes as a testament to the ongoing cooperation between the two countries in addressing transnational crime.
Moreover, during a forum titled «US and Central America: Diplomacy and Cooperation» hosted by the Inter-American Dialogue in June, Ambassador Duncan highlighted the advancements in security that El Salvador has achieved since President Nayib Bukele took office. The implementation of strategies such as the Exception Regime and the Territorial Control Plan (PCT) have played a pivotal role in these security improvements.
To date, the Salvadoran government has captured 71,100 gang members and seized approximately 2,843 firearms, which were used by terrorists to commit crimes and instill fear in the population. These robust measures have contributed to the country’s remarkable achievement of 403 consecutive days without any reported homicides.
However, it is worth noting that the opposition parties (ARENA, FMLN, VAMOS, and Nuestro Tiempo) have not shown their support for these actions against gangs. Despite differing opinions on the approach, Ambassador Duncan mentioned during the forum that he has not encountered anyone who is dissatisfied with the current state of public security in the country. Even those who may have reservations about the methods being employed recognize the positive change that has occurred.
Upon his arrival in El Salvador in January of this year, Ambassador Duncan expressed his satisfaction with being in Salvadoran territory and his readiness to experience «all the good things about El Salvador.» He also emphasized the importance of the relationship between El Salvador and the United States, stating that his mission in the country is to strengthen these ties.
The recent meeting between Ambassador Duncan and President Bukele signifies the ongoing collaboration and shared commitment to addressing security challenges in El Salvador. The efforts made by the Salvadoran government, with support from the United States, are instrumental in maintaining public safety and fostering a more prosperous future for the country.