Edition of October 30, 2026
Rebel Bites
Theresa Ejiro EfiakpovworeBukele: troops will leave Haiti once the four air technicians are handed over, or they will rescue them "by force"
At a joint press conference with Peru's president, Keiko Fujimori, on Thursday night, October 29, at the Presidential House, Nayib Bukele said the Salvadoran mission in Haiti aims to rescue the four missing air technicians, not to wipe out Haiti's gangs. He warned that if they are not handed over willingly, "we are going to rescue them by force" (our translation), and that the forces will act against the gangs if they try to block the rescue. Bukele said El Salvador has no intention of staying permanently and that, if the four air technicians are handed over, the troops would withdraw that same day. He gave no end date for the mission, saying its length depends on when they are handed over.
Keiko Fujimori tours Rosales Hospital and the Doctor SV telemedicine platform
On the second day of her official visit, Friday, October 30, Peru's president, Keiko Fujimori, toured the facilities of Doctor SV, the health care system that uses artificial intelligence. According to the Presidency, Doctor SV has more than 2 million registered users and more than 5 million consultations. In the afternoon she visited the Rosales National Hospital, accompanied by Peru's health minister, Luis Dyer, and guided by the hospital's director, Marvin Aguilar; the Presidency said the tour included robotic surgery, the automated clinical laboratory and nephrology. Fujimori said Peruvian teams will come to El Salvador to learn more about these health policies.
Fujimori visits a renovated school in Santa Tecla and shows interest in AI tutoring
Peru's president, Keiko Fujimori, visited the Marcelino García Flamenco school in Santa Tecla on Friday, one of the schools renovated under the Two Schools a Day program. Education Minister Karla Trigueros presented the government's projects to bring artificial intelligence and new technologies into teaching. Fujimori thanked her for the presentation and expressed interest in taking some of these initiatives to Peru, in particular AI tutoring as a complement to in-person classes. The press office did not announce any specific education agreements.
Fujimori says 14 of 19 chapters of the Peru-El Salvador trade deal are already settled
At a meeting with business leaders in El Salvador, Peru's president, Keiko Fujimori, said negotiations on a free trade agreement between the two countries are moving forward with 14 of its 19 chapters settled. According to her, the technical teams are still working on the remaining points. Fujimori invited Salvadoran business owners to invest in Peru without waiting for the agreement to be signed and highlighted mechanisms such as public-private partnerships and Peru's Works for Taxes system. No date was announced for concluding the negotiations.
Air travelers to the US must sign an Ebola declaration starting November 3
Starting November 3, 2026, passengers on international flights to the United States, including those departing from El Salvador, must sign a declaration set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In it they confirm they have not been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo during the 21 days before the flight. The measure aims to reduce the risk of Ebola reaching the United States and applies to US citizens, residents and foreigners, including those only connecting through the country. Anyone who was in that country during that period cannot board without an exemption from the US government.
El Salvador's Under-15 team ends its FIFA tournament run with a 3-2 loss to Jamaica
El Salvador's Under-15 team finished its run at the FIFA Under-15 World Cup and Festival with a 3-2 loss to Jamaica in its last match. El Salvador took the lead with goals from Méndez and Joey Rubio, but Jamaica came back to win. With this result, the young team bows out of the tournament.
Bukele and Keiko Fujimori sign cooperation agreements on security, justice, health and tourism
President Nayib Bukele received Peru's president, Keiko Fujimori, at the Presidential House on Thursday, October 29, and the two governments signed several cooperation documents. They include a memorandum of understanding on sharing experience in infrastructure, prison management and strengthening the justice system against crime, an agreement between the two health ministries and a memorandum on tourism, plus a joint declaration. Bukele offered to share El Salvador's security strategy so that Peru can take whatever it finds applicable. Fujimori formally invited Bukele to visit Peru and proposed moving toward a free trade agreement, although no negotiating timetable was announced. Outlets do not agree on the exact number of agreements, so we leave it out.
El Salvador hands down its first life sentence for the rape of a girl, according to the Attorney General's Office
According to the Attorney General's Office (FGR), a court sentenced a man to life in prison after finding him guilty of raping a 13-year-old girl in the east of the country between February and June 2026. The FGR said it is the first case tried in the country under the reform that sets life imprisonment for sex crimes. According to the prosecutors' investigation, the convicted man contacted the victim through social media and took advantage of the age difference to manipulate her. The reform is part of the package of criminal law changes the Legislative Assembly approved in March, after a constitutional amendment allowing that penalty was ratified.
FMLN registers 12 candidates with the electoral tribunal for the diaspora's seats in the Assembly
On Thursday, October 29, the FMLN registered 12 candidates, alternates included, with the Supreme Electoral Tribunal for the district of Salvadorans living abroad in the 2027 elections. According to the party, nine of them live outside the country and eight are women. The candidates live in countries such as the United States, Canada, Spain, Italy and Sweden. The registration was led by the party's presidential candidate, Rafael Aguirre, and its vice-presidential candidate, Madaí Santos.
Police report zero homicides on Thursday, October 29
According to the National Civil Police (PNC), Thursday, October 29 ended with no homicides in the country. The PNC posted it on X after midnight, and the presidential press office credited it to the security work of President Nayib Bukele's government. It is the eighth day in a row with this official report. The figure is the PNC's own; no further breakdown was published.
PNC: It has teams providing security at the Apulo Recreational Park in Ilopango as the weekend begins
The PNC says it has teams providing security at the Apulo Recreational Park in Ilopango as the weekend begins.
Press Secretariat: Quotes Keiko Fujimori during her visit to Rosales Hospital, where she compared its care with that of Peru's hospitals
The press office quotes Keiko Fujimori during her visit to Rosales Hospital, where she compared its care with that of Peru's hospitals.
Presidency: Reports Keiko Fujimori's visit to Rosales Hospital, which included robotic surgery, the automated clinical laboratory and nephrology
The Presidency reports Keiko Fujimori's visit to Rosales Hospital, which included robotic surgery, the automated clinical laboratory and nephrology.
PNC: It is carrying out ground and air operations in rural areas of Santa Cruz Analquito, Cuscatlán Sur, near the borders with San Vicente and La Paz
The PNC says it is carrying out ground and air operations in rural areas of Santa Cruz Analquito, Cuscatlán Sur, near the borders with San Vicente and La Paz.
Presidency: Keiko Fujimori toured Doctor SV and says the system has more than 2 million registered users and more than 5 million consultations
The Presidency reports that Keiko Fujimori toured Doctor SV and says the system has more than 2 million registered users and more than 5 million consultations.
Presidency: Reports Keiko Fujimori's visit to a renovated school in Santa Tecla, where the education minister presented AI projects to her
The Presidency reports Keiko Fujimori's visit to a renovated school in Santa Tecla, where the education minister presented AI projects to her.
Press Secretariat: Shared the Environment Ministry's revised data on an earthquake recorded early in the morning off the coast of San Vicente
The presidential press office shared the Environment Ministry's revised data on an earthquake recorded early in the morning off the coast of San Vicente. The data is in the post's image.
Press Secretariat: Said there were no homicides in the country on Thursday, October 29, and credited the government's security work
The press office said there were no homicides in the country on Thursday, October 29, and credited the government's security work.
PNC: Reported that Thursday, October 29 closed with no homicides in the country
The PNC reported that Thursday, October 29 closed with no homicides in the country.
Press Secretariat: Shared a video of Peruvian President Keiko Fujimori's tour of the CECOT prison
The press office shared a video of Peruvian President Keiko Fujimori's tour of the CECOT prison.
PNC: Said it keeps officers in parks, squares and tourist spots in San Salvador's Historic Center
The PNC said it keeps officers in parks, squares and tourist spots in San Salvador's Historic Center.
Press Secretariat: Keiko Fujimori said Bukele is a role model in Peru because of El Salvador's transformation
According to the press office, Keiko Fujimori said Bukele is a role model in Peru because of El Salvador's transformation.
Press Secretariat: Announced that Keiko Fujimori will visit the Rosales National Hospital on Friday
The press office announced that Keiko Fujimori will visit the Rosales National Hospital on Friday.
Press Secretariat: Quoted Keiko Fujimori calling the CECOT impressive and an emblem of peace and order in El Salvador
The press office quoted Keiko Fujimori calling the CECOT impressive and an emblem of peace and order in El Salvador.
PNC: Said it patrols the area around El Cuco beach, in San Miguel Centro, for tourists and vendors
The PNC said it patrols the area around El Cuco beach, in San Miguel Centro, for tourists and vendors.
Presidency: Reported that Bukele welcomed Keiko Fujimori with full honors at the Presidential House, ahead of a bilateral meeting and a broader one with both delegations
The Presidency reported that Bukele welcomed Keiko Fujimori with full honors at the Presidential House, ahead of a bilateral meeting and a broader one with both delegations.
PNC: Said it watches over public transport stops and buses in Morazán and Ahuachapán
The PNC said it watches over public transport stops and buses in Morazán and Ahuachapán.
PNC: Said its Tourism Police are present in squares and parks of San Salvador's Historic Center
The PNC said its Tourism Police are present in squares and parks of San Salvador's Historic Center.