Bukele Family’s Real Estate Expansion Raises Questions in El Salvador

President Nayib Bukele’s family has acquired 34 properties during his five-year tenure in El Salvador. These acquisitions have significantly increased their real estate holdings.

The properties, valued at $9.2 million (R$51.52 million), include luxury homes and coffee farms totaling 231 hectares. A media alliance comprising Redacción Regional, Focos, and Dromómanos conducted an investigation into these property acquisitions.

The report links five family members to the purchases: three siblings, Bukele’s wife, and his mother. The investigation reveals a twelvefold increase in the family’s land ownership since Bukele took office.

Karim Bukele, the president’s brother and advisor, bought a building in San Salvador’s historic center for $1.3 million (R$7.28 million).

This purchase occurred three months after the Legislative Assembly passed a tax exemption law for investors in that area. The timing of this acquisition has drawn attention.

President Bukele responded to the investigation on social media, calling the journalists “imbeciles” and claiming they were paid by George Soros.

He dismissed the corruption allegations, stating that the investigations wouldn’t stand up to an accountant’s scrutiny. However, he acknowledged that his administration isn’t perfect.

Government Actions and Press Tensions

The renovation of San Salvador’s historic center has been a priority for Bukele since his time as mayor from 2016 to 2019. His strategies included secret negotiations with MS-13 and Barrio 18 gangs to vacate the area.

This focus on security has contributed to Bukele’s popularity. Jaime Quintanilla, who led the investigation, noted that Lagencia is the company through which Karim Bukele purchased the building.

He pointed out that Lagencia failed to submit its financial statements to the public registry, which is required by law. Karim Bukele responded by claiming he had transferred a small inherited house to the company for business purposes.

The Association of Journalists of El Salvador has called on President Bukele’s government to stop stigmatizing, threatening, and monitoring journalists.

These journalists are fulfilling their role of scrutinizing power. The situation highlights the ongoing tension between the government and the press in El Salvador.

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