Former US President Donald Trump has publicly championed the drastic anti-gang measures of El Salvador's leader, using a rally in Maryland to suggest America needs to get 'tough' on crime in a similar fashion.
Addressing supporters, Trump lavished praise on President Nayib Bukele, whose government has imprisoned tens of thousands of suspected gang members, a move that has drawn criticism from human rights groups but has dramatically slashed the country's murder rate.
'He's a great guy. He really did a great job,' Trump declared from the stage, directly referencing Bukele's policies. 'He took them off the streets. They don't have crime anymore.'
The former president's comments are seen as a clear signal of the hardline approach he would likely adopt on crime and immigration if he wins a second term in the White House. He framed the issue as a matter of national strength, criticising what he perceives as current US weakness.
Trump's endorsement aligns with his long-standing 'law and order' platform. However, Bukele's methods, while popular domestically, have been widely condemned for suspending certain civil liberties and due process, raising concerns about authoritarianism.
The rally speech underscores how Trump continues to align himself with strongman leaders across the globe and positions himself as the antidote to urban crime, a key theme expected to dominate his 2024 campaign rhetoric.
