Key Takeaways
- Rep. Matt Gaetz announced the bipartisan Congressional El Salvador Caucus.
- The caucus aims to strengthen U.S.-El Salvador relations and recognize Bukele's governance.
- El Salvador's murder rate has dropped 92% since 2015 under Bukele's administration.
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) has announced the formation of the bipartisan Congressional El Salvador Caucus, with Rep. Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX) joining as co-chairman. This initiative aims to enhance U.S.-El Salvador relations and acknowledge the impactful governance of Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele.
The announcement follows Gaetz’s visit to El Salvador for Bukele’s second inauguration. The caucus aims to deepen the understanding of El Salvador’s relationship with the U.S., reinforce bilateral ties, and foster a better comprehension of Salvadoran issues among U.S. lawmakers.
Gaetz has been a strong supporter of Bukele, praising his leadership and suggesting American conservatives could learn from his governance model. Gaetz also introduced legislation for the U.S. to accept Bitcoin for federal taxes, inspired by El Salvador’s adoption of Bitcoin as legal tender under Bukele’s administration.
Under Bukele, El Salvador launched a significant crackdown on gangs in 2022, arresting over 75,000 suspected gang members and dismantling notorious groups like MS-13. This resulted in El Salvador shifting from one of the world’s most violent countries to having the second-lowest murder rate in the Western Hemisphere, behind Canada. The murder rate has dropped by 92% since 2015, and the number of Salvadorans attempting to cross the U.S.-Mexico border has decreased by 44%, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Gaetz stated on social media:
The El Salvador Caucus will exist to nurture and advance the U.S.-El Salvador relationship and to vindicate the strong reforms that President Bukele has put into effect.
He praised Bukele’s transformation of El Salvador, suggesting similar reforms could rejuvenate America.
The Congressional El Salvador Caucus signifies a proactive step towards a stronger partnership between the two nations, with potential benefits for policy, economic development, and security cooperation.
