The Secretary of State highlighted the cooperation with the Salvadoran government on security and reaffirmed the rapprochement between Washington and San Salvador
The U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, once again highlighted the relationship between Washington and the government of Nayib Bukele and described El Salvador as “one of our most valuable partners in the region.” The message was disseminated on September 15, during the celebration of Salvadoran Independence.
Rubio congratulated the Salvadoran people and emphasized the cooperation between both countries. Since the arrival of the Donald Trump administration, the bilateral relationship has gained special importance within the U.S. strategy towards Latin America, particularly on issues related to security, migration, and the fight against organized crime.
Marco Rubio alongside Nayib Bukele
The relationship between Rubio and Bukele had already been exposed during the Secretary of State's visit to El Salvador in February 2025. In that meeting, both governments made progress on agreements related to migration, security, and bilateral cooperation. The U.S. administration also highlighted Bukele's willingness to collaborate with Washington on deportations and the fight against criminal organizations.
The rapprochement continued throughout 2026. In March, Rubio met again with Bukele along with other leaders from the hemisphere to address issues related to regional security and cooperation.
El Salvador is also part of the shift in U.S. foreign policy towards greater cooperation with Latin American governments in the fight against drug trafficking and organized crime. In recent months, Rubio has toured several countries in the region and promoted coordination mechanisms in security matters.
Washington's support comes as Bukele maintains security policy, which began in 2022 with the state of emergency against gangs, as one of the pillars of his government. The Salvadoran model has been presented by the government as a strategy to reduce violence and regain territorial control against criminal organizations.
President Donald Trump alongside Nayib Bukele
The relationship also has a migratory dimension. The Trump administration is holding talks with countries in the region to expand cooperation on deportations and migration control, while El Salvador has maintained close coordination with Washington.
With his message for Independence, Rubio once again publicly pointed out the importance that the United States places on the relationship with El Salvador. The statement reinforces Bukele's position as one of the Latin American governments with which the Trump administration seeks to deepen cooperation on security and other strategic issues.
