The Salvadoran community in Winnipeg and surrounding areas now has a new Consulate General, inaugurated by Cindy Mariella Portal, Vice Minister of Diaspora and Human Mobility of El Salvador. This new consulate, located at 233 Portage Avenue, Suite 205, marks the sixth Salvadoran consular office in Canada and will serve more than 11,000 Salvadorans residing in Manitoba and Nunavut.
The establishment of the Winnipeg Consulate responds to President Nayib Bukele’s directive to expand and improve services for the Salvadoran diaspora. The consulate will offer passport issuance, family registration, notarial services, visa processing, humanitarian assistance, and document legalization, among other essential services. Previously, Salvadorans in Winnipeg had to travel over 1,200 kilometers to the nearest consulate in Calgary.
“This consulate is the result of a direct request from the Salvadoran community in Winnipeg, and it significantly reduces both travel time and costs for accessing consular services,” said Vice Minister Portal during the inauguration ceremony. The Winnipeg consulate is strategically located, providing easy access for Salvadorans in the region. In addition, it will participate in mobile consulate initiatives to serve remote communities within the jurisdiction.
The consulate will also promote cultural events and economic initiatives. Vice Minister Portal highlighted plans to inform and support Salvadorans interested in investing in El Salvador, a country undergoing transformation through public security and economic policies under President Bukele. Furthermore, programs like ViajeroSV will encourage tourism to El Salvador, offering discounts on accommodations, dining, and tours for Salvadorans visiting their homeland.
“This consulate is a gathering point for Salvadorans, helping them stay connected to their communities of origin,” said Portal. “We will organize sports activities, strengthen community ties, create partnerships, and offer labor mobility opportunities to benefit our diaspora.”
The consulate will be open Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. During the inauguration, the Vice Minister introduced Fernando Aguilar Reina as the new Consul General, along with the consular team. The event also included El Salvador’s Ambassador to Canada, Ricardo Cisneros, representatives from the Salvadoran Ministry of Foreign Affairs, members of the Salvadoran community, and special guests.