US gives El Salvador a safer travel designation than France, UK and Sweden

The State Department recently announced an upgrade to the travel advisory for El Salvador, now ranking the Central American nation as safer than several European countries. Secretary of State Marco Rubio credited El Salvadorian President Nayib Bukele’s leadership as crucial in improving the security of his country for foreign travelers.

Rubio highlighted that gang activity, violent crime, and murders in El Salvador have significantly decreased over the past few years. As a result, the U.S. travel advisory for El Salvador has been updated to “Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions.”

The travel advisory notes that gang activity has seen a decrease over the last three years, leading to a drop in violent crimes and murders. Rubio emphasized that keeping Americans safe overseas is a top priority for the State Department.

In comparison, the travel advisories for countries like Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, and Sweden remain at “Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution.” The State Department warns of the increased risk of terrorism in all countries, with civil unrest also being a concern for American travelers in France and Spain.

El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele expressed pride in the country’s achievement, stating that El Salvador has received the U.S. State Department’s travel gold star, indicating it is as safe as it gets for travelers.

The contrast between El Salvador’s safety rating and that of European countries caught the attention of many, including tech billionaire Elon Musk. Musk, who has been critical of mass migration in Western Europe, expressed surprise at the news.

President Donald Trump is set to welcome President Bukele to the White House for an official working visit to discuss El Salvador’s partnership in using their supermax prison for members of the Tren de Aragua and MS-13 gangs. The cooperation between El Salvador and the United States has become a model for others to follow.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem recently visited the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) in El Salvador, where more than 200 individuals removed under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 have been sent by the Trump administration.

Overall, the improved travel advisory for El Salvador reflects the country’s efforts in enhancing security and reducing crime rates, making it a safer destination for foreign travelers. The partnership between El Salvador and the United States serves as an example of successful collaboration in addressing security challenges.