Peru's Fujimori Visits El Salvador to Study Bukele Security Model

Peruvian President Keiko Fujimori arrived in El Salvador on Wednesday night for an official visit focused on citizen security, the prison system, and combating organized crime. She was received by Salvadoran Foreign Minister Juana Alexandra Hill Tinoco at the airport.

Fujimori traveled on a commercial flight accompanied by several ministers, including those for Foreign Affairs, Interior, Justice and Human Rights, and Health. The delegation also includes a deputy education minister and the director of the National Educational Infrastructure Program.

A central part of the agenda is a visit to the Terrorism Confinement Center, known as Cecot, a maximum-security prison in Tecoluca built by Bukele's government. Fujimori will examine the measures El Salvador applies against criminal structures and gangs.

On Thursday, Fujimori is scheduled to meet with Salvadoran Justice and Public Security Minister Gustavo Villatoro. The meeting will focus on the Zero Idleness program, social reintegration policies, police training, and standards for confronting organized crime.

Former Peruvian Interior Minister Mariano Gonzales said the visit is important for gathering positive aspects that could help Peru's current context. He described Bukele's team as multidisciplinary and noted that El Salvador has solved its main security problems.

Gonzales also warned that fundamental rights violations have been recorded regarding detained individuals. He stated that Peru cannot wage war on crime while simultaneously carrying out police reform.

The Peruvian government said the visit aims to expand bilateral cooperation in justice, health, education, tourism, and security.