The World Bank has upgraded El Salvador's economic growth forecast to 4.5% for 2026, placing it third in Latin America. Sustained private investment and a sharp decline in violent crime since 2022 are among the main factors supporting the country's economic expansion.
El Salvador Proposes $3.4 Billion Education Investment in 2027 Budget
El Salvador's government has submitted its 2027 national budget, making education its top spending priority with a proposed $3.4 billion allocation. The investment is intended to strengthen workforce skills, modernize education and support the country's long-term technological and economic development.
El Salvador's Bitcoin Reserves Reach $643 Million Amid IMF Negotiations
El Salvador has continued buying Bitcoin, bringing its government holdings to nearly 7,800 tokens worth approximately $643 million. The purchases come as the International Monetary Fund grants a $139 million financing exemption despite continuing concerns about transparency surrounding the country's digital assets.
Los Chorros Highway and Viaduct Project Suspended for Engineering Redesign
Construction of El Salvador's $250 million Los Chorros viaduct and highway expansion has been temporarily suspended after the project's lead South Korean engineering firm requested structural design changes. The revisions are intended to ensure the long-term safety of a major transport and logistics corridor.
Panama and Costa Rica Forecast to Expand as Central American Growth Strengthens
Panama's economy is projected to grow 3.9% in 2026, while Costa Rica is expected to expand 3.5%, alongside stronger growth in El Salvador. Manufacturing, foreign investment and logistics are helping support economic activity across Central America.
El Salvador Launches TradeExpo 2026 to Attract Investment and Expand Exports
More than 70 Salvadoran companies and international buyers from four continents have gathered in San Salvador for TradeExpo 2026. Organized by the Chamber of Commerce and Invest in El Salvador, the event aims to build business partnerships, attract foreign investment and open new export opportunities for local manufacturers.
El Salvador Records World's Largest Improvement in Tourism Security, WEF Says
El Salvador has recorded the biggest improvement in travel and tourism security among 110 economies assessed by the World Economic Forum, with its score rising 18%. The improvement reflects the country's tougher domestic security policies, which have helped strengthen its appeal to international visitors.
El Salvador International Airport Handles More Than Four Million Passengers
El Salvador International Airport welcomed more than four million passengers through early October, according to the country's Autonomous Port Executive Commission. Growing transit traffic and international connectivity are driving plans to accelerate infrastructure expansion and accommodate future passenger demand.
El Salvador Courts Sentence More Than 50 MS-13 Members to Maximum Prison Terms
Courts in El Salvador have sentenced more than 50 members of the Mara Salvatrucha criminal gang to maximum prison terms, including life sentences, for extortion and killings in Chalatenango. The rulings reflect the government's continuing crackdown on organized crime and efforts to maintain territorial control.
El Salvador Human Smuggling Network Members Sentenced to Up to 88 Years in Prison
Salvadoran courts have handed down prison sentences of up to 88 years to members of a transnational human smuggling network involved in illegally transporting migrants to the United States. The convictions underscore the country's strict judicial approach to organized cross-border crime.
El Salvador Electoral Tribunal Voids Credentials of Central American Parliament Deputies
El Salvador's Supreme Electoral Tribunal has annulled the credentials of several representatives elected to the Central American Parliament for the 2026–2031 term. The authority also ordered the return of diplomatic documents as legal disputes and institutional changes continue.
El Salvador Prosecutors Seek Maximum Sentence for Former Soyapango Mayor
El Salvador's Attorney General's Office has requested the maximum legal penalty for former Soyapango Mayor Nercy Montano over illegal dismissals and disobedience of judicial orders. The case forms part of broader efforts to pursue alleged misconduct within municipal administrations.
El Salvador Issues New Payroll Rules for Public and Private Sector Employers
El Salvador's Labor Ministry has published technical guidelines for implementing the Quincena 25 payroll regulations across government institutions and private businesses. The measures aim to standardize salary payments and clarify compliance requirements for employers.
El Salvador Unions and Businesses Renew Debate Over Working Hour Limits
Labor unions and business representatives in El Salvador have reopened discussions on potential changes to the country's labor laws, focusing on working hour limits and productivity. The debate weighs employers' economic concerns against the health and rights of workers.
El Salvador and Uruguay Launch Energy Cooperation Partnership
El Salvador and Uruguay have established a bilateral framework to exchange expertise in renewable energy generation and electricity grid modernization. The cooperation aims to strengthen energy security, reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels and support industrial development.
El Salvador Fuel Prices Set to Remain Stable in Coming Weeks
El Salvador's Ministry of Economy has confirmed that domestic fuel prices will remain unchanged over the coming weeks. Stable prices are expected to ease pressure on households, transport operators and logistics businesses amid volatility in global energy markets.
Salvadoran Exporters Pursue New Markets at Trade Fairs in Turkey and Costa Rica
Companies from El Salvador's manufacturing and services sectors have showcased their products at commercial fairs in Turkey and Costa Rica. The trade missions are part of efforts by government agencies and private businesses to broaden export relationships beyond traditional North American markets.
Heavy Rains Prompt Flood and Landslide Monitoring Across San Salvador
El Salvador's Civil Protection authorities have deployed preventive monitoring teams across metropolitan San Salvador following heavy seasonal rainfall. Emergency agencies are watching for flooding and landslides while assessing the effectiveness of urban drainage and disaster prevention infrastructure.
El Salvador Opens Pedestrian Bridge in Santiago Nonualco to Improve Rural Safety
El Salvador's Ministry of Public Works has completed a new pedestrian bridge over the Apanta River in Santiago Nonualco. The crossing is designed to reduce risks for local residents and improve access between rural communities as authorities continue investing in smaller public infrastructure projects.
Don Bosco University Students Showcase Engineering Research at Central American Congress
Engineering students from El Salvador's Don Bosco University have presented technology research at the 2026 CONESCAPAN congress. Their participation highlights the country's efforts to develop skilled technical talent and strengthen academic contributions to its growing digital and startup sectors.