The nomination of Senator Marco Rubio as Secretary of State has stirred excitement and concern alike, but one relationship that deserves attention is Rubio’s growing alliance with El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele. What might this mean for the Americas? For many, the answer is straightforward: a powerful partnership against organized crime and drug trafficking that threatens both Latin America and the United States.
President Bukele’s name became internationally known for his “miracle” turnaround of El Salvador, once plagued by violence and crime. In a few short years, he transformed it from the murder capital of the world into one of the safest countries in the Americas, earning a place in the top 10 globally. Through decisive action, Bukele dismantled MS-13, Barrio 18, and other gangs, branding them as terrorist organizations. With this designation, Bukele launched an unrestrained crackdown on these violent groups, rounding up tens of thousands of gang members and housing them in Latin America’s largest prison – capable of holding 40,000 people.
But Bukele’s accomplishments extend beyond domestic security. His administration has aggressively interrupted the flow of drugs from Latin America to North America, impacting cartel operations and reducing the impact of drug trafficking across the region.
This is where Rubio comes in. Under President Trump’s directive, which categorizes cartels as terrorist organizations, Rubio could gain unprecedented leverage to combat these violent networks. Together, Rubio and Bukele could form an unstoppable force, with Bukele bringing a hands-on, no-nonsense approach and Rubio deploying diplomatic and strategic resources to bolster the crackdown on cartels and disrupt their networks.
My prediction? Rubio and Bukele will be instrumental in waging a coordinated assault on these cartels, using every tool at their disposal to choke off the flow of drugs, violence, and terror. For cartels across the Americas, this alliance is nothing short of a nightmare.
If Rubio and Bukele follow through, the Americas might be looking at a new era in the fight against organized crime.
