On this June 1, 2025, the first year of President Nayib Bukele’s second term (2024-2029) was completed, a period marked by a strategic transition: consolidating the security achieved in his first administration (2019-2024) and catapulting El Salvador toward economic prosperity.
As he himself announced exactly one year ago during his inauguration at the National Palace:
“Now that we have fixed the most urgent issue, which was security, we are going to fully focus on the important problems, starting with the economy”.
These words were not just a promise but the action plan that today shows tangible results.
If you’d like to hear the full speech where he mentioned the words quoted above, you can find it in the video below starting at 1 hour, 39 minutes, and 40 seconds.
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The Structure of the Economic Plan: Three Phases Underway
The government has implemented three of the six phases of the Economic Plan, prioritizing logistics, technology, and food security. These pillars aim to diversify the economy, attract foreign investment, and protect the purchasing power of Salvadorans.
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Phase 3: Logistics
The modernization of the port system is one of the most notable milestones. With a historic investment of $1,615 million, the Turkish company YILPORT Holding Inc.—a world leader in port management—already operates in the ports of Acajutla and La Unión.
This alliance, formalized with the Autonomous Executive Port Commission (CEPA), created the company Unión Portuaria del Pacífico. The objective is clear: to turn El Salvador into a competitive logistics hub.
Additionally, the construction of the Pacific Airport ($386.4 million) was announced, a project that will strengthen air connectivity and generate thousands of jobs.
Phase 2: Technology
The climate of security and legal certainty that El Salvador offers investors has borne good fruits, among which we can mention:
- Tether, a cryptocurrency giant (market value: $137,490 million), will relocate operations to the country.
- Rumble, a Canadian video and cloud services platform, established its regional center here.
- TeKnowledge, a cybersecurity specialist with a presence on four continents, invested $20 million to begin operations.
- Data Trust is building an operations center in Ciudad Arce (La Libertad) with a $30 million investment.
These projects not only generate technical employment but also position El Salvador as a technological benchmark in Central America.
Phase 1: Food (Protecting the Basic Basket)
While attracting million-dollar investments, the government does not neglect families. Today, 56 agricultural markets and the Central Supply Market of Soyapango (East San Salvador) operate, where basic products arrive at accessible prices and with guaranteed quality.
This network combats inflation and promotes local trade, directly benefiting small farmers and consumers.
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The Context: From Security to Prosperity
After reducing violence to historic levels in his first term, Bukele dedicated this year to weaving international alliances. His meetings with executives from companies like YILPORT and Tether—though not detailed in the official statement—were key to materializing these investments.
As he emphasized, the priority is no longer “putting out fires” but building solid foundations for a “prosperous El Salvador.”
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What’s Next?
The next phases of the plan—still unrevealed—promise to deepen sectors such as renewable energy, manufacturing, and tourism. The pace is accelerated: in just 12 months, committed investments exceed $2,000 million, an unprecedented figure for the country.
Final Reflection
Bukele’s speech at the National Theater on June 1, 2025, not only commemorated a year of achievements but also reaffirmed his vision: turning stability into opportunity.
The confidence of international investors, the modernization of infrastructure, and social protection are signs that the Salvadoran economy is taking off. While in other countries the future looks gray or uncertain, in El Salvador, thank God, the future is envisioned with optimism (at least that is the feeling in the air).
