El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele has publicly expressed his support for María Corina Machado and the entire opposition bloc in Venezuela, led against Nicolás Maduro’s contested third term. Machado, a prominent Venezuelan opposition leader, confirmed her conversation with Bukele, highlighting his respect for Venezuela’s sovereignty and his demand for the true will of the Venezuelan people to be honored, as expressed in the recent presidential elections.

In a post on the social media platform X, Machado stated, “I just spoke with President Nayib Bukele, who conveyed his admiration and support for the Venezuelan people’s struggle for freedom, and his demand for respect for the Popular Sovereignty expressed on July 28. I thanked him for the firm and solidary commitment of the Salvadoran people and their government to our democracy.”

This exchange follows comments from Maduro indicating continued support from the Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front (FMLN), El Salvador’s leftist party, for his embattled administration. Maduro’s third term, secured through disputed elections in 2024, has been marred by accusations of political repression and the suppression of the Venezuelan people’s electoral choice. The opposition, led by Machado and with Edmundo González Urrutia as the presidential candidate, claimed victory in the elections but was denied recognition by the Maduro government.

Despite calls for international audits, Maduro’s regime has refused external verification of the election results, asserting his victory. The Venezuelan authorities have also arrested several opposition figures, leading González Urrutia to flee the country post-election.

In contrast to Bukele’s stance, El Salvador’s FMLN continues to back Maduro’s government, maintaining a historical alliance rooted in leftist ideologies. The FMLN’s tenure in El Salvador was marked by significant challenges, including a surge in violence and gang activity.

Bukele’s support for Venezuela’s opposition highlights a stark contrast to the FMLN’s position, underscoring a shift in El Salvador’s foreign policy dynamics.