Peru has announced the exemption of visa requirements for tourists from El Salvador, attributing this decision to the effective security measures implemented by President Nayib Bukele’s administration. The Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that the measure reflects the diminishing risk to internal security due to El Salvador’s notable reduction in crime rates.
The security strategy executed by President Bukele’s government paved the way for Peru to waive the temporary visa requirement for Tourist Migratory Status, facilitating the entry of Salvadoran tourists into Peruvian territory.
The Peruvian Foreign Ministry stated that the decision to grant this exemption is grounded in the assessment that Salvadorans pose no threat to the internal security of the South American nation. It is noteworthy that Peru had imposed visa requirements on Salvadoran citizens since October 2006, responding to elevated crime rates prevalent during that period.
According to Supreme Decree No. 028-2023-RE, the measure is justified by the current non-threatening nature of Salvadoran citizens’ entry, given the decrease in El Salvador’s crime rate.
«[…] It is appropriate to exempt nationals of the Republic of El Salvador, holders of validly issued and current ordinary passports according to national regulations, from the temporary visa requirement in the tourist migratory status,» the decree states.
The decree also underscores Peru’s intent to adopt measures that promote the country as open to tourism, investments, trade, and foreign capital. This aligns with the mutual benefit of fostering bilateral relations and developments in cultural and economic domains.
The regulation bears the signature of Peru’s President, Dina Boluarte, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Javier Gonzales Olaechea Franco, as reported by Peruvian media.
In response, El Salvador’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the information, attributing Peru’s decision to the positive relations between the two nations and El Salvador’s commendable achievements in security.
«The Government of El Salvador welcomes the decision of the Peruvian Government to eliminate the visa requirement for Salvadoran citizens wishing to enter the country as tourists. The outstanding security achievements under President Nayib Bukele’s administration and the positive diplomatic relations between both nations have laid the foundation for this benefit to our fellow citizens. This measure, mutually beneficial, will strengthen tourism, investment, trade, economy, and culture,» stated the Salvadoran Foreign Ministry in a press release.
El Salvador reiterated its commitment to reciprocity, expressing a shared dedication to advancing a joint agenda for the well-being of both Salvadoran and Peruvian populations.