El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele criticized Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro during a meeting with Salvadoran businessmen, contrasting his country’s strong U.S. ties with Petro’s strained relationship with the U.S., particularly under Donald Trump. Bukele mocked Petro’s handling of a January diplomatic crisis when Petro opposed the deportation of Colombian migrants, leading to U.S. sanctions.

Bukele also criticized Petro’s economic policies, claiming they harm Colombia’s business sector, unlike El Salvador’s stability. The two leaders have clashed before, notably over El Salvador’s mega-prison.

Meanwhile, Bukele’s administration has strengthened U.S. relations, earning praise for crime reduction and pro-business policies. El Salvador was recently admitted to the U.S. Global Entry program, further solidifying its ties.

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