El Salvador President Nayib Bukele was sworn in for a second term on Saturday, vowing to address the country's economic problems with the same determination that marked his campaign against gang violence in his first term.
Bukele, who was re-elected in February with more than 80% of the vote after a controversial court decision, has declared his intention to cure the country's economic “illnesses”.
Speaking from the balcony of the National Palace in San Salvador, Bukele, 42, reassured the public that the gang-related violence plaguing the country was largely under control. “Salvadorian society is still sick, but it is no longer cancerous,” he said, referring to the criminal gangs that once made El Salvador one of the most dangerous countries in the world.
With security largely restored, Bukele now faces the difficult task of reviving the stagnant economy. “Now that we have ensured the most pressing issue, which is security, we will focus on important problems, starting with the economy,” he said.
Despite Bukele's popularity for improving security in the country of 6.3 million, his economic policies have faced obstacles. The ambitious Bitcoin City project, designed as a tax-free, cryptocurrency-supported center, has had difficulty attracting investment. Additionally, El Salvador's public debt has risen to over $30 billion, nearly 84% of its gross domestic product.
There are currently 5,769 Bitcoins worth approximately $389 million in the country's treasury. Bukele reported that his country purchased 1 BTC every day.
*This is not investment advice.
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