Umar Farooq
04 February 2019•Update: 05 February 2019
By Umar Farooq
WASHINGTON
The U.S. congratulated President-elect Nayib Bukele on his electoral victory in El Salvador’s elections Sunday and said Washington was looking forward to working with his new administration.
"We value our cooperation and look forward to working with President-elect Bukele to expand economic opportunity, strengthen democratic institutions, and redouble efforts to make El Salvador safer and more prosperous for all Salvadorans," State Department spokesperson Robert Palladino said in a statement.
Bukele won by clinching more than 50 percent of the votes, according to the country’s official electoral board.
He is originally of Palestinian descent. His father, a Muslim, was a prominent businessman and a local imam.
A businessman himself, Bukele, 37, served as mayor of San Salvador’s southern Nuevo Cuscatlan municipality in 2012. Three years later, he became the mayor of San Salvador.
He ran on a campaign that included promises to fight corruption and end gang violence.
According to estimates, roughly one-third of El Salvador’s approximately 6.5 million people live below the poverty line.
Hundreds of thousands of people fleeing poor living conditions in El Salvador have reportedly joined recent migrant caravans en route to the U.S.
Palladino further stated El Salvador and the U.S. share a strategic partnership, which includes efforts to bolster economic growth and security.
"The United States and El Salvador share a strong partnership based on our joint efforts to improve security and our mutual commitment to the rule of law and inclusive economic development," Palladino said. "It is in our common interest to reduce illegal immigration and combat transnational crime by fostering economic growth, good governance, and security."
