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Liberty Networks to Develop El Salvador’s First Submarine Cable in Major Upgrade to National Internet Infrastructure.
Liberty Networks is a U.S.-based digital infrastructure and enterprise connectivity provider operating across Latin America and the Caribbean, specializing in high-capacity submarine and terrestrial fiber-optic networks that support regional and international data traffic. The company has now been selected to lead a landmark connectivity project in El Salvador.
The government of President Nayib Bukele announced the start of construction of El Salvador’s first international submarine fiber-optic cable, a 1,800-kilometer system aimed at expanding bandwidth capacity and strengthening the country’s internet resilience. Liberty Networks was chosen by the Superintendence of Electricity and Telecommunications (SIGET) to build and deploy the cable.
Officials and experts say the project will reinforce El Salvador’s digital backbone, improve network redundancy, and support sectors such as fintech, blockchain initiatives, and advanced digital services, positioning the country as a regional connectivity leader in Central America.
“The new international submarine communications cable of El Salvador,” President Bukele wrote on his official X account when announcing the initiative.
The U.S. Office of Western Hemisphere Affairs and the U.S. Embassy in El Salvador welcomed the project, highlighting it as an example of strong bilateral ties and the role of U.S. companies in driving global digital transformation.
Ray Collins, Senior Vice President of Infrastructure and Corporate Strategy at Liberty Latin America, said the investment “lays the foundation for greater economic growth, innovation, and opportunity for all Salvadorans,” underscoring the long-term impact of the new submarine cable.
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How Human Connection at the Upcoming Max & Stacy Bitcoin Golf Invitational Is Fueling El Salvador’s Economy.
El Salvador is preparing to host an expanded edition of the Max & Stacy Bitcoin Golf Invitational in January 2026, reinforcing the country’s growing profile as a hub where sports, Bitcoin, and international business networking intersect. The three-day event will take place from January 8 to 10 at El Encanto Golf Club, in La Libertad, and is expected to welcome around 400 participants.
Following the impact of its 2025 edition, the Invitational will go beyond golf to offer a broader experience. In addition to the main tournament, the 2026 agenda includes a poker tournament for 100 players and a pickleball competition with 50 participants, alongside social and educational activities designed to encourage interaction among attendees. The expanded format aims to create more spaces for connection and entertainment while preserving the event’s core focus on sport and networking.
Backed by Max Keiser and Stacy Herbert—key Bitcoin advisers to President Nayib Bukele—the tournament has positioned itself as a meeting point for high-profile figures from the global Bitcoin ecosystem. The program also features events such as the Bitcoin Beach meetup in El Zonte, live interviews hosted by Max and Stacy, micro Bitcoin education sessions, a Bitcoin farmers market, and a family-friendly outdoor club party, combining lifestyle experiences with professional exchange.
Organizers emphasize that the Invitational attracts international entrepreneurs, investors, and professionals with high spending power and long-term interest in the country. These visitors are characterized by longer stays, higher daily spending, and a greater likelihood of returning. As a result, hotels, restaurants, transportation services, local staff, suppliers, and guides benefit from an immediate activation of the tourism value chain.
Beyond direct economic impact, the event contributes to El Salvador’s international positioning. The country is increasingly being perceived not through questions about security, but as an aspirational destination capable of hosting world-class events. Golf tournaments, in particular, signal stability, solid infrastructure, and readiness for premium tourism.
The Invitational also supports El Salvador’s emergence as a regional golf destination. International media coverage and word-of-mouth within golf communities generate long-term tourism value, with many visitors returning accompanied by friends or family and combining the sport with extended vacations.
Equally important is the role the event plays in fostering relationships. The Invitational brings together entrepreneurs, investors, and professionals from different industries in a relaxed setting, where informal conversations often evolve into future visits, real estate projects, investments, or strategic partnerships. In 2025, executives from companies such as Casa, Rumble, and Asset Market Cap publicly expressed interest in investing in or relocating operations to El Salvador after attending the tournament.
More than a sporting competition, the Max & Stacy Bitcoin Golf Invitational has become a hub for human connection, which is a central driver of the economic impact. By bringing together entrepreneurs, investors, and professionals in a relaxed, in-person setting, the event creates trust-based relationships that extend well beyond the tournament itself.
These personal connections often translate into repeat visits, longer stays, and follow-up business activity, including investments, partnerships, and new projects in El Salvador.
Over time, the relationships formed at the Invitational help transform short-term tourism into sustained economic engagement, reinforcing the country’s position as a destination where Bitcoin, business, and people converge to create long-term value.
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From Google to Bitcoin: X Users Highlight High-Profile Allies Supporting El Salvador’s Education and Health Development.
Influential figures from the worlds of technology, finance, and innovation are being highlighted on X as key allies linked to El Salvador’s vision for advancing education and healthcare. A post that gained attention on the platform listed global companies, Bitcoin advocates, and tech leaders as part of a broader ecosystem associated with President Nayib Bukele’s agenda.
One X user wrote, “The education and health allies of @nayibbukele include Google, NVIDIA, Bitcoin, Starlink, Tether, Elon Musk, Cathie D. Wood, Brian Roemmele, Stacy Herbert, Max Keiser, Lina Seiche, and many others. With this team, the 2026 school year will begin. Write in the new history books what is yet to come.”
The names mentioned represent areas ranging from artificial intelligence and satellite connectivity to digital finance and Bitcoin education. Companies such as Google and NVIDIA are widely associated with tools that support learning, data analysis, and medical research, while Starlink has become a reference point for expanding internet access in underserved regions.
Meanwhile, figures like Elon Musk, Cathie Wood, Max Keiser, and Stacy Herbert are known internationally for promoting disruptive technologies and alternative financial systems, particularly Bitcoin, which El Salvador adopted as legal tender in 2021. Educators and advisors such as Brian Roemmele and Lina Seiche have focused on artificial intelligence literacy and Bitcoin education, themes that increasingly intersect with modern education and innovation.
For audiences in the United States, the conversation on X reflects how El Salvador continues to position itself at the center of global discussions on technology-driven development, with education and health emerging as key areas linked to its long-term vision.
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Latinometrics Highlights Nayib Bukele as Latin America’s Most Followed Leader Per Capita.
A recent post by data-focused publication Latinometrics identified El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele as the most influential political leader on social media in Latin America when measured on a per-capita basis. The analysis emphasizes that adjusting for population size removes the advantage held by leaders from larger countries and places Bukele clearly ahead of his regional peers.
Latinometrics explained that Bukele’s dominance is driven not only by high approval ratings, but also by his unusually personal and active presence across platforms, particularly on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Looking to the most popular leaders across social media on a per-capita basis, one name towers above the rest,” the publication noted.
The analysis also compares Bukele with other high-profile leaders such as Gustavo Petro and Nicolás Maduro, suggesting that more confrontational and highly personalized communication styles tend to attract larger followings online. However, Latinometrics argues that Bukele’s digital influence goes beyond viral exchanges or chart-sharing.
According to the post, Bukele has become a reference point across the region for how political leaders communicate security policies and crime control strategies directly to the public, turning social media into a central tool of governance. For U.S. audiences watching developments in El Salvador, the data suggests that Bukele’s online reach reflects a broader shift in how leadership and public security narratives are being shaped in Latin America.
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Salvadoran Youth Enroll in University Thanks to State-Funded Higher Education Initiative.
Hundreds of young Salvadorans are taking a decisive step toward professional development through a state-funded higher education initiative promoted by the government of President Nayib Bukele. This week, more than 500 scholarship recipients began their university enrollment process, marking a significant milestone in El Salvador’s efforts to expand access to higher education and reduce economic barriers for students nationwide.
A total of 576 scholarship holders were received at the Pedagogical University of El Salvador, where they completed administrative procedures including document submission, course registration, enrollment, and the selection of class schedules. The process is part of the Academic and Technical Continuity Project, supported by several higher education institutions across the country, including Universidad Pedagógica, Universidad Gerardo Barrios, Universidad Politécnica, Universidad Modular Abierta, Universidad de Sonsonate, and Universidad de Oriente.
“Today we assisted 576 scholarship students who selected degree programs within the Faculties of Education and Engineering,” explained Academic Records Coordinator Rocío Murcia, noting that students finalized their registration and received their university credentials during the process.
The scholarship program allows students to pursue on-site and blended-learning degrees in fields such as Systems and Computer Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Information Technology Management, as well as technical programs in Systems, Logistics, and Supply Chain Management. In the Faculty of Education, available programs include degrees in Psychology, Social Work, English Language, and Teaching.
Scholarship recipient Rocío Castillo highlighted the importance of the initiative, stating that “this support is essential, because not everyone has the financial means to continue university studies.” After completing their enrollment, students are now preparing to begin classes on January 21. Similar enrollment processes are taking place simultaneously at other universities nationwide, reinforcing the government’s commitment to education as a pillar of social mobility and national development in El Salvador.
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El Salvador Airports See Double-Digit Growth as New Airlines and Routes Expand Connectivity.
El Salvador’s aviation sector continues to post strong results, with airports recording double-digit growth in passengers and cargo as new airlines, routes, and infrastructure projects strengthen the country’s regional and international connectivity.
Speaking in an interview, CEPA President Federico Anliker said El Salvador has become an attractive destination for the global aviation industry due to its sustained expansion. “We are growing at double-digit rates in aviation, with annual increases in passengers and cargo,” Anliker noted, adding that this performance drew the attention of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which recently held Aviation Day in the country.
According to Anliker, El Salvador expects around 800,000 passengers to arrive, depart, or connect through its airports during the December season alone. “That is why IATA really set its sights on El Salvador; our growth is considerable, and it allows us not only to learn but also to share our experience with other countries,” he said.
CEPA estimates total aviation-related investments at approximately $800 million, combining public funds, multilateral support, and private capital. These resources are financing airport expansions, cargo facilities, energy projects, and upgrades to runways, terminals, migration, and customs infrastructure.
Anliker also highlighted improved coordination among aviation, migration, customs, and security authorities, which has helped speed up cargo handling and passenger processing. Looking ahead, El Salvador is working to attract additional airlines and routes, including expanded frequencies from U.S. carriers and potential direct flights to Europe, further reinforcing the country’s role as a growing air connectivity hub in Central America.
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Bukele–Chaves Security Agenda Advances With CECOT Visit and “Shield of the Americas” Initiative.
During the second day of his official visit to El Salvador, Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves toured the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) to gain firsthand insight into the operations of the country’s maximum-security prison, a flagship element of President Nayib Bukele’s security strategy.
President Chaves was received by El Salvador’s Minister of Defense, René Francis Merino Monroy, and Minister of Security, Gustavo Villatoro, who guided him through the facility and explained its operational model. The visit comes as Costa Rica moves forward with plans to build a new prison with capacity for 5,100 inmates, expected to be completed by June 2026 and inspired by El Salvador’s penitentiary system.
The growing alignment follows President Bukele’s official visit to Costa Rica in November 2024, when he toured La Reforma prison and offered technical feedback on prison management and security policies. This exchange has laid the groundwork for deeper cooperation between both countries.
As part of this agenda, Presidents Bukele and Chaves formally launched the “Shield of the Americas” initiative in Santa Ana, El Salvador. The agreement enables the sharing of strategic information, coordination of joint security operations, dismantling of transnational criminal networks, and expanded cooperation in trade, investment, logistics, and innovation, with the door open for other nations to join the framework.
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El Salvador Leads Latin America in Fastest Customs Clearance, IDB Report Finds.
El Salvador has become the Latin American country with the quickest customs dispatch times, averaging fewer than four days, according to a new report released Thursday by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). The findings place El Salvador ahead of every other nation in the region in export processing speed.
The report, Markets for Development: Improving Lives Through Competition, examines how limited competition and high market concentration hinder economic growth across Latin America and the Caribbean. It highlights customs delays as a key factor that undermines regional competitiveness, noting that the average export clearance time in the region remains around ten days.
The IDB emphasizes that long waits at customs function as a non-tariff trade barrier, increasing costs, disrupting delivery schedules, and weakening competitiveness, especially for time-sensitive products. “While countries such as El Salvador, Guatemala, and Uruguay dispatch exports in less than five days, others, like Brazil, Guyana, and Suriname, face delays exceeding ten days,” the report states.
Brazil ranks last, with nearly 15 days needed to clear goods, while Uruguay and Guatemala follow El Salvador with average times of four and five days, respectively. In Central America, Honduras, Belize, and Panama approach six days, and Costa Rica nears eight.
The IDB underscores that faster clearance is closely tied to administrative efficiency and modernized border procedures. “This isolation weakens competitive pressure, keeps prices higher, and allows firms to maintain elevated markups even in environments where tariffs have been liberalized,” the institution adds.
The report concludes that reducing customs times requires streamlined processes such as single-window systems, risk-based inspections, and accelerated transit agreements—areas in which El Salvador has been strengthening its logistics framework.
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How Salvadorans Spend on Food and Drinks for Christmas Eve.
As Christmas Eve (Nochebuena) nears, El Salvador’s holiday dinner tables are shaping up with classic local favorites according to the latest consumer habits survey by the Defensoría del Consumidor. Around 72% of Salvadorans plan to celebrate Christmas this year, with many motivated by tradition, family gatherings, and the joy of the season.
When it comes to food, poultry leads the menu. The study found that 41% of Salvadorans will have chicken during the Christmas Eve meal, while 34% will eat turkey, and 31% will include “gallina india” — a local free-range hen — among their dishes. These preferences show a mix of traditional and more cost-effective options, with other choices such as asado (22%), beef loin (18%), chompipollo (11%), pork leg (9%) and ham (8%) rounding out the festive spread.
Non-alcoholic drinks remain central to celebrations. Soft drinks are the most popular choice, with 72% of respondents planning to serve them, followed by natural fruit juices (32%), horchata (14%), iced tea (12%), ponche (8%) and cebada (4%). For adults who include alcohol in their festivities, beer tops the list at 24%, while wine (20%), tequila (10%), vodka (9%) and whiskey (9%) are also part of the holiday toast.
These preferences reflect broader trends documented in earlier Defensoría surveys, which consistently show that Salvadorans combine poultry with festive sides, local recipes, and beverages that suit both family gatherings and larger holiday feasts.
“Nochebuena is more than just dinner,” said one Salvadoran chef in San Salvador, “It’s a time to bring families together and celebrate what we have, even when times are tough.”
For Salvadorans living in the United States, these traditions offer a meaningful connection to home — from roasted chicken to bubbly sodas — and a way to share unique Salvadoran holiday flavors with friends and neighbors abroad.
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AI Meets National Rebirth: ARQ Showcases El Salvador’s New Destiny in First-of-Its-Kind Film.
ARQ, the emerging platform for AI-driven audiovisual creation, has unveiled a groundbreaking short film produced entirely in El Salvador, marking what the company describes as the first AI short film ever created for a nation. The project follows the recent visit of ARQ founder Amir Diba, who traveled to the country and quickly found himself immersed in its technological and cultural momentum.
In a message shared on his X account, Amir wrote that he and his team wanted to use their tools to create work that inspires rather than “AI-generated slop with 0 effort.” The result is “A Tale About El Salvador,” a cinematic piece exploring the meaning of a name, the weight of identity, and the country’s transformation in recent years. In ARQ’s manifesto, the term “SLOP” refers to Soulless, Lazy, Oversaturated Production—AI-generated videos created without intention, vision, or meaningful human input, existing for no purpose beyond simply being produced.
The film intertwines poetic narration with real footage, highlighting El Salvador’s dramatic improvements in public safety, its expanding infrastructure, and its rise as a hub for Bitcoin and emerging technologies. At one point, the narrator reflects, “You cannot do anything if you don’t have peace,” before presenting the nation’s security gains under President Nayib Bukele. Scenes reference the containment of gang violence, the construction of major public projects, and the opening of new schools and markets designed to uplift local communities.
ARQ also showcases the country’s growing technological relevance, noting milestone moments such as El Salvador becoming the first country to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender and its recent acquisition of NVIDIA’s Blackwell Ultra B300 system. These developments, the film argues, signal a shift in how the world perceives the country.
The project aligns with ARQ’s creative philosophy, expressed in the manifesto on its official website: “AI won’t replace imagination; it’ll scale it.” The company rejects the mass production of low-effort content and instead promotes the use of artificial intelligence as a tool to tell meaningful stories.
With this film, ARQ hopes to inspire a new generation of creators—both within El Salvador and beyond. “AI can let you do anything, so the question isn’t what it can do, it’s what will you do with it?” the company states. Through its collaboration with local communities and institutions, ARQ aims to demonstrate how technology and human vision can converge to elevate narratives that matter.