US Representatives Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL), Matt Gaetz (R-FL), and numerous other US lawmakers and officials attended El Salvador President Nayib Bukele’s inauguration over the weekend.
Both Representatives Salazar and Gaetz personally greeted and congratulated President Bukele.
Bukele has been credited for leading a historic crime crackdown in the country, turning El Salvador from a gang-ridden state to one of the safest countries in Latin America.
Bukele secured a whopping 83% majority in the last elections. Bukele’s Nuevas Ideas (New Ideas) party also secured nearly complete control of the national assembly, winning 58 out of 60 seats.
“We need a leader like Bukele in Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua,” said Salazar as she attended Bukele’s inauguration ceremony.
Gaetz dialogued with Bukele at a private residence shortly after the inauguration.
”Bukele locks up the gangs, throws out the corrupt judges, unapologetically embraces God, and rebukes globalism with facts and results,” said Gaetz.
.@nayibbukele locks up the gangs, throws out the corrupt judges, unapologetically embraces God, and rebukes globalism with facts and results.
He is beloved by his people, and an inspiration to the Western World.
I’m honored to call him a friend. https://t.co/cK0G3yEf2m pic.twitter.com/eBa8ixBd0B
— Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) June 2, 2024
President Joe Biden sent Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas to represent his administration at Bukele’s inauguration.
Secretary Mayorkas allegedly encouraged Bukele to “enhance the rule-of-law to ensure sustainable security for Salvadorans.”
Critics of Bukele claim his law and order style borders that of an authoritarian regime and accuse the president of undermining the rights of incarcerated individuals.
During the past several years, Bukele’s government has captured and jailed roughly 75,000 alleged gang members and violent criminals.
Despite Bukele’s opponents, Salvadorians have embraced his rule and reflected their support for the president by granting him an unparalleled victory at the ballot box.
