Vice President-elect Jose Manuel Restrepo said Thursday that Colombia had discussed El Salvador’s experience in tackling extortion and reforming its criminal and penitentiary systems during talks with Salvadoran Vice President Felix Ulloa in Cali.
“We learned firsthand about El Salvador’s experience in dealing with extortion and the reforms to the criminal and penitentiary system they have promoted, a valuable lesson for strengthening our own citizen security strategy,” Restrepo said in a post on X.
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The meeting came just one day before Colombian President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella is due to take office, putting security cooperation with El Salvador among the early priorities of the incoming administration.
De la Espriella campaigned on a tougher approach to organized crime, promising to strengthen law enforcement institutions and restore public security in areas affected by criminal violence.
El Salvador’s security policies have attracted international attention under President Nayib Bukele, whose government launched a sweeping crackdown on criminal gangs. The strategy has been credited by supporters with sharply improving security, while human rights organizations have raised concerns about civil liberties and the treatment of detainees.
Restrepo said the talks with El Salvador extended beyond security. Colombian and Salvadoran delegations also exchanged views on artificial intelligence, with Colombia interested in studying El Salvador’s experience with AI and digital public-service platforms.
The two countries also agreed to establish a Binational Business Council to expand trade, investment and business opportunities.
“Today we also took an important step on the commercial front. We agreed to create a Binational Business Council that will strengthen trade, investment and opportunities between our two countries,” Restrepo said.
The planned cooperation signals an effort by Colombia’s incoming government to build closer ties with regional partners while examining policies used elsewhere in Latin America to address organized crime, improve public services and encourage economic cooperation.
For Colombia, the interest in El Salvador’s model comes as the new administration prepares to make security one of its defining policy areas, while also seeking opportunities for cooperation in technology, trade and investment.
