Bukele: closer to Beijing, distant from Washington

When Nayib Bukele took office as president of El Salvador two years ago, one of his first goals was to establish a positive relationship with Washington. That included cooperation with the U.S. on migration enforcement, for which the Central American leader demanded more American investment in his country and continued humanitarian efforts to protect over 200,000 Salvadorans living in the U.S.

The similarities between Mr. Bukele and his then-American counterpart, Donald Trump, suggested that relations between the two countries could run smoothly. After a very positive visit with Mr. Trump in August 2019, Mr. Bukele proclaimed El Salvador’s friendship and alliance with the U.S.

Two years removed, however, a gulf has opened between the two countries, and El Salvador has chosen rapprochement with China.

Relations between Mr. Bukele’s administration and Joe Biden White House have been rocky. Biden officials have serious concerns about the Salvadoran leader’s respect for the rule of law and democracy and plan to keep him at arm’s length. Earlier this year, White House officials turned down a meeting request with Mr. Bukele during an