Washington: President of the US and El Salvador, Donald Trump and Nayib Bukele respectively, met in the White House late Monday, discussing a variety of issues including bolstering ties as well as ongoing efforts to tackle illegal immigration.
According to Kuwait News Agency, US Vice President JD Vance stated on Twitter, "President Trump and I had a very productive meeting with President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador today. The United States looks forward to continuing our relationship." This meeting came as El Salvador was increasingly receiving illegal migrants from the United States, with the latter country deeming such deportees as "criminals" and members of violent gangs.
Ties between El Salvador and the United States have seen significant growth since Trump assumed the presidency, with San Salvador announcing its willingness to receive illegal migrants from the US.
El Salvador was the second stop visited by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on his five-state Latin America tour back in February. Rubio's visits focused on discussing illegal immigration, preventing narcotics smuggling, and addressing concerns over "Chinese influence" in the Panama Canal.