-
Bukele Administration Launches Educational Christmas Experience for Early Childhood in El Salvador.
Children from the Jardines de la Sabana preschool experienced a festive and educational morning at Villa Navideña 2025 thanks to an initiative led by President Nayib Bukele and First Lady Gabriela de Bukele. The event focused on combining Christmas celebration with early childhood learning in a safe and joyful environment.
During their visit to the National Library of El Salvador (BINAES), students took part in activities such as Christmas bingo, storytelling sessions, and the Botley Robot workshop. These activities were designed not only for entertainment but also to stimulate imagination, creativity, and cognitive development from an early age.
Villa Navideña 2025 offers a comprehensive cultural agenda for children, featuring themed spaces such as the Cookie Factory, the Train Station, the Grinch’s House, and other fantasy worlds created with early childhood development as a priority. The experience allows families to enjoy the holiday season in a peaceful environment while reinforcing learning through play.
Beyond bringing joy during Christmas, these initiatives reflect the Salvadoran government’s focus on strengthening education, creativity, and integral development among the country’s youngest generation.
-
El Salvador to Host Costa Rican President for Bilateral Talks and CECOT Visit.
El Salvador is preparing to receive Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves this Thursday and Friday as part of an official visit aimed at strengthening diplomatic and cooperation ties between both Central American nations. The visit follows a formal invitation extended by President Nayib Bukele.
President Chaves announced his trip in advance, stating, “This Thursday and Friday I will visit El Salvador following a kind invitation extended by His Excellency @nayibbukele. We will continue strengthening the bonds of friendship and cooperation between our two sister nations. As part of the agenda, we will conduct a joint visit to CECOT on Friday. God bless our countries 🇨🇷🇸🇻.”
In response, President Bukele publicly welcomed his counterpart through social media, writing, “Welcome to El Salvador, President Chaves. We await you with open arms 🇸🇻🇨🇷.”
The visit is expected to focus on bilateral cooperation, regional security, and the exchange of experiences, with special attention on El Salvador’s security strategy showcased during the planned tour of the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT).
-
Former UN Representative Omar Bula Credits El Salvador’s Security Gains to Expulsion of Soros-Linked Destabilizing Media.
El Salvador’s dramatic improvement in public security has drawn international attention, with geopolitics expert Omar Bula Escobar recently highlighting the country’s transformation following the removal of what he described as destabilizing foreign influence.
Through his account on X, Bula stated, “Let’s put it this way: If Bukele had not expelled Soros and his entire network of destabilizing NGOs and media, El Salvador would never have reached the levels of security and prosperity it enjoys today. As long as Soros is involved, any country is doomed to failure.” His remarks quickly generated reactions across political and analytical circles.
Bula Escobar brings more than 20 years of experience in international business management and geopolitics, having served as a former United Nations representative and senior executive across Europe, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East. He has led large-scale operations in conflict zones such as Sudan, Somalia, and Iraq, and is a recognized global speaker on geopolitics.
His comments add a new international perspective to El Salvador’s security strategy, which in recent years has reshaped the nation’s image from one of the most violent countries in the region to one increasingly associated with safety and economic stability.
-
Government Alliance in El Salvador Aims to Accelerate Energy and Construction Projects.
El Salvador has taken a new step to strengthen its energy and construction sectors with the signing of an interinstitutional cooperation agreement between the Directorate of Territorial Planning and Construction (DOT) and the Transmission Company of El Salvador (ETESAL). The agreement seeks to create better conditions for the development of electricity generation, transmission, and distribution projects, with the goal of attracting more investment and ensuring orderly and sustainable territorial integration.
During the signing ceremony, DOT Executive Director Paola Bardi explained that the agreement will enhance the technical analysis applied to every energy project submitted to the DOT system, ensuring compliance with territorial planning and environmental regulations. “We promote that energy projects align with territorial planning, because this guarantees investment and encourages safe and sustainable development,” Bardi stated.
A key component of the agreement is the strengthening of thematic portals and geospatial analysis tools, which will allow a more comprehensive evaluation of the location and impact of energy projects. According to Bardi, the exchange of technical information and ETESAL’s support throughout project assessments will make processes more efficient. The agreement also aims to modernize user services for both the construction and energy sectors by streamlining permit issuance and reducing response times, which is expected to support job creation.
ETESAL President Edwin Núñez highlighted that the agreement is part of the government’s broader strategy to attract investment and stimulate economic growth. “For ETESAL, this agreement is important because it strengthens the conditions for all companies that want to invest in the country,” he said. Núñez also emphasized the positive impact of faster permitting processes on investor confidence. “Making all permits faster and more efficient allows investors to complete procedures more quickly and, of course, results in greater investment,” he added.
As the sole authority responsible for granting feasibility approvals for new power generation projects, ETESAL’s coordination with the DOT is key to providing legal certainty for both national and foreign investors. The agreement includes technical data sharing, joint evaluations, institutional capacity building, and the development of geospatial tools to support informed decision-making, reinforcing El Salvador’s strategy for balanced, orderly, and sustainable economic growth.
-
Aviation Leaders Gather in El Salvador as Country Expands Global Air Links.
El Salvador continues to position itself as a venue for high-level international events with the start of IATA Aviation Day, a gathering that brings together leaders from airlines, airports, tourism, and infrastructure, along with senior officials from the government of President Nayib Bukele. The event convenes key executives from the aviation industry, regulatory authorities, and tourism specialists to discuss the future of air transport in the country and the region.
“Today’s discussions will allow us to reflect on how air transport will continue to be an engine of well-being for this country and especially for its citizens. Aviation is much more than transportation; it is a driver of prosperity and a social connector,” said Peter Cerdá, IATA’s Regional Vice President for the Americas. He added that “El Salvador is at a decisive moment in its history and has the full potential to become a regional reference, particularly in aeronautical research and development, by promoting alliances with academia to create a hub of innovation and learning.”
Cerdá also highlighted that “the country has the opportunity to continue expanding its air connectivity, attracting more international visitors and also global events such as world surfing championships.” For his part, CEPA President Federico Anliker explained that the event was the result of coordinated work among several government institutions, stating, “We have been working on this for over a year with colleagues from tourism, civil aviation, and the economy because we believed that El Salvador deserved to host Aviation Day this year.”
Anliker thanked IATA for its confidence in choosing El Salvador as host, noting, “This decision reflects something fundamental for us: our country has step by step gained international trust and today is seen as a safe, modern nation with leadership.” During the event, he also emphasized the investment in airport infrastructure under President Bukele’s administration and underscored the country’s security improvements, stating, “We are the safest country in the Western Hemisphere. This achievement has allowed us to open our skies, attract tourism and investment, and become a strategic point for regional connectivity.”
-
El Salvador Revives La Unión Port as New Center for Vehicle Imports and Construction Materials.
El Salvador is rapidly transforming the Port of La Unión into a key logistics hub for vehicle imports and construction materials, according to statements by Luis Canto, general manager of the Pacific Port Union, during an interview on a radio program. The reactivation of La Unión marks a major shift after years of limited activity. “Last year only one ship arrived at La Unión. This year we have already received more than 70,” Canto said.
He explained that the growth has been driven primarily by the automotive sector, as all vehicle imports for El Salvador have now been redirected through La Unión. “What we have today is an automotive hub. Vehicles arrive in La Unión and from there are distributed across El Salvador and into other Central American countries,” he added. The improved efficiency has encouraged private companies to establish new distribution centers near the port.
Beyond vehicles, La Unión has also become a strategic entry point for fertilizers that supply agricultural producers in El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua. In addition, a new agreement has been signed to bring weekly shipments of construction materials. “On December 24, the first ship will arrive with cement. This construction boom in the eastern region is entering through this port,” Canto stated.
The reactivation of La Unión is part of a broader national port modernization strategy led by the Government of President Nayib Bukele in partnership with Turkey’s Yilport Holding. The mixed-economy partnership represents the largest infrastructure investment in the country’s history, totaling $1.615 billion, and aims to turn El Salvador into a regional logistics and trade platform.
With increased traffic, diversified cargo, and new commercial activity, the Port of La Unión is now positioned as a critical engine for economic growth in eastern El Salvador and a strategic gateway for Central American trade.
-
El Salvador Deploys AI Nationwide Through DoctorSV as Other Countries Still Weigh Regulation.
While many countries remain focused on how to regulate artificial intelligence, El Salvador is already using it directly to improve the lives of its citizens. The recent nationwide expansion of the DoctorSV platform marks a milestone in public healthcare, providing free AI-assisted medical services to all Salvadorans from birth onward. The platform offers medical consultations, medications, imaging, laboratory tests, mental health support, nutrition services, and more at no cost to users. President Nayib Bukele announced the full nationwide availability after opening the sixth phase of the program, covering children and teenagers.
Stacy Herbert, Director of the Bitcoin Office of El Salvador, underscored the contrast between El Salvador’s approach and the global debate. “While the world debates AI regulation, El Salvador is deploying it for maximum impact,” she stated, adding that the country is using artificial intelligence as a concrete tool for public service rather than a theoretical discussion.
She further described DoctorSV as part of a broader national vision to modernize public services through cutting-edge technology. “This isn’t just an app, it is a national strategy to deliver premium healthcare at scale,” Herbert said, projecting that El Salvador’s early and decisive adoption of AI could place it among the leading countries in global healthcare performance in the coming years.
-
IDB and Google Cloud Launch 10,000 Digital Skills Scholarships in El Salvador.
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), with the support of Google Cloud, has announced a strategic initiative to strengthen advanced human capital in El Salvador through the allocation of 10,000 scholarships focused on high-demand digital skills. The joint effort seeks to accelerate digital transformation and close the regional skills gap.
According to the IDB, the program has been designed as a pilot project already implemented in Mexico, and its execution in Central America will serve as a benchmark to assess the region’s capacity to absorb new digital talent. The scholarships will be assigned through local partners with proven experience in technical training and employability.
Beneficiaries will gain access to the Google Skills platform, receiving direct training through educational institutions with tools and certifications demanded by the global industry. “This project aligns with the objectives of ‘America in the Center’ of the IDB Group, aiming not only for economic integration but also to empower a new generation of talent capable of leading the digital transformation from within the region,” the institution stated.
The initiative forms part of the broader “America in the Center” regional development program, which addresses shared challenges across Central America, Panama, and the Dominican Republic, while the IDB continues its mission to improve lives and promote inclusive and sustainable development throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.
-
Early Coffee Harvest Data Shows 800% Production Increase in El Salvador.
El Salvador recorded a strong start to the 2025–2026 coffee harvest, with 35,381 quintals of gold coffee produced during the first month of the cycle, equivalent to an 800 percent increase compared to the same period of the previous harvest, according to the Salvadoran Coffee Institute (ISC). The production increase represents 31,468 additional quintals compared with October 2024, bringing total output for the month to more than 1.6 million kilograms.
Despite the sharp initial growth, the ISC cautioned that the coffee cycle runs from October to September, and peak production occurs between November and March, meaning final harvest figures could still change as the season progresses. Unlike the Central Reserve Bank, which reports data by calendar month, the ISC presents results by harvest cycle based on reports from processing mills and parchment coffee producers.
Exports during the first month of the current cycle totaled 5,637 quintals of gold coffee, generating $2.4 million in revenue. However, export performance showed a 79.9 percent drop in volume and a 67 percent decline in income compared to the same period of the previous cycle. North America remained the main destination, absorbing 59.8 percent of shipments at an average price of $395.51 per quintal.
Middle Eastern countries ranked second with a 22.6 percent share and an average price of $446.16. Asia purchased smaller volumes but paid the highest average prices, while Central America and the Caribbean recorded minimal participation at premium values. The ISC reported that 86.4 percent of exports were sold as green coffee, allowing access to higher-value specialty markets, with smaller shares shipped as soluble and roasted coffee.
-
El Salvador Projects Over $3.5 Billion in Tourism Revenue for 2025.
El Salvador has transformed its global image and direction, consolidating itself as an increasingly attractive destination for visitors from around the world. Thanks to the climate of safety and tranquility now enjoyed nationwide, people can travel freely at any time, generating a steady flow of international tourists arriving from different regions.
This new environment has opened significant opportunities for sector growth and has firmly positioned El Salvador on the international tourism map. For this year, authorities project closing with a high number of foreign visitors, reflecting the strong momentum of the tourism industry.
“As of November 2025, we have registered 3.6 million international visitors and expect to reach the goal of 4 million. We project more than $3.5 billion in foreign exchange revenue from the tourism sector, contributing around 10% of the Gross Domestic Product,” stated the Minister of Tourism, Morena Valdez.
She highlighted that the last quarter of the year further boosts this growth due to the Christmas and year-end holiday season, when thousands of visitors choose to travel to El Salvador to enjoy local festivities. Valdez also emphasized the consolidation of San Salvador’s Historic Center as one of the most visited destinations. “We estimate at least 2.5 million visitors, and likely more, as it is becoming one of the most popular places,” she noted.
The combination of improved security, modernization, and revitalized public spaces has created ideal conditions for continued growth. Through these efforts, the administration of President Nayib Bukele reaffirms its commitment to strengthening tourism and positioning El Salvador as a country that offers unique and unforgettable experiences.