President Nayib Bukele told U.S. lawmakers and international leaders at the National Prayer Breakfast that El Salvador’s dramatic security transformation was not only a political effort, but a spiritual battle. Speaking before members of Congress and distinguished guests, Bukele reflected on the weight of leadership and the responsibility of making decisions that can alter the course of a nation.
Drawing on the biblical story of King Solomon, Bukele emphasized that wisdom should be the primary request of any leader. “True leadership comes down to one thing: decision making,” he said, adding that leaders should seek wisdom over wealth or fame. He framed this principle as central to the policies his administration pursued during El Salvador’s most violent years.
The Salvadoran president reminded the audience that his country was once known as the “murder capital of the world,” plagued by powerful gangs that terrorized communities. He highlighted the government’s aggressive crackdown on criminal organizations, which he said has led to historically low homicide rates and a renewed sense of safety across the country.
In one of the most striking moments of his remarks, Bukele described the gangs as groups that “worshiped Satan, straight up, literally.” He argued that the threat facing El Salvador went beyond conventional crime. “Our enemy was not just flesh and blood,” he said, asserting that the nation’s transformation was possible only with God’s guidance and decisive leadership.