President Nayib Bukele reaffirmed El Salvador’s close relationship with Honduras and dismissed the possibility of conflict between the two neighboring countries, stating that security operations in the Gulf of Fonseca are aimed exclusively at combating drug trafficking organizations.
Bukele emphasized that the measures are not directed against the Honduran people, but against criminal networks that use the maritime area for illicit trafficking activities. He stressed that El Salvador’s actions are focused on protecting regional security and disrupting transnational drug routes.
“Only a fool would think we would attack a brother nation over a rock where no one lives and that produces nothing,” the president said in a public statement, underscoring that there is no intention of confrontation with Honduras.
The Salvadoran leader also reiterated that authorities will continue carrying out interdiction operations wherever necessary in order to curb drug trafficking. According to Bukele, the operations are part of the country’s broader strategy against organized crime and narcotics trafficking in the region.
Concluding his remarks, Bukele highlighted the historical ties between Salvadorans and Hondurans, stating that the relationship between both peoples remains based on cooperation, mutual respect, and brotherhood. “Between peoples: brotherhood. That issue is with the drug traffickers,” he said.