Trump to host Bukele amid El Salvador's third-term presidential approval

United States President Donald Trump is scheduled to host Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele in the Oval Office on Thursday. This meeting comes just days after Bukele secured the possibility of running for a third consecutive presidential term, a move that has drawn criticism.

The White House confirmed the meeting, set for 11:00 AM Washington time. The encounter between Trump and Bukele highlights ongoing bilateral cooperation, particularly in areas of immigration and the fight against organized crime, which are key priorities for both administrations.

Mystery surrounds the exact purpose of the meeting, but it follows a controversial constitutional reform in El Salvador. This reform, passed by the legislature controlled by Bukele's Nuevas Ideas party, eliminates the limit on consecutive terms, allowing for indefinite presidential re-election. Critics argue this reform enables Bukele to consolidate power and potentially perpetuate his rule.

Bukele, one of Latin America's most popular leaders, has implemented a stringent anti-gang policy that has drawn scrutiny from human rights organizations due to alleged arbitrary detentions. El Salvador is considered a key regional ally for the Trump administration, which has strengthened ties with right-wing governments across Latin America since Trump's return to the White House in 2025.