Fact Check: "El Faro's reporting links Bukele to gang negotiations for votes."
What We Know
The claim that El Faro's reporting links President Nayib Bukele to gang negotiations for votes is supported by multiple sources. According to a report from the U.S. Treasury, Bukele's government allegedly negotiated a truce with powerful street gangs, specifically MS-13 and Barrio 18, to reduce violence in exchange for political support during elections. The Treasury's statement indicated that Bukele's administration provided financial incentives to these gangs to ensure low homicide rates, which was a key aspect of Bukele's political platform.
El Faro, a prominent Salvadoran news outlet, reported on these negotiations as early as September 2020, revealing that there were numerous covert meetings between government officials and gang leaders (El Faro). This reporting was corroborated by the U.S. Treasury's findings, which detailed how Bukele's administration allegedly facilitated these meetings and provided privileges to imprisoned gang leaders, including access to cellphones and other benefits.
Analysis
The evidence supporting the claim comes from credible sources, including the U.S. Treasury and investigative reports from El Faro. The U.S. Treasury's allegations are particularly significant because they come from a governmental body that conducts thorough investigations and has access to intelligence that may not be available to the public. The Treasury's findings were based on investigations that revealed direct negotiations between Bukele's officials and gang leaders, which included promises of political support in exchange for reduced violence.
El Faro's reporting has been recognized for its investigative rigor, although it has faced challenges, including threats against its journalists (El Faro). The outlet's reports have consistently highlighted the complexities of Bukele's relationships with gangs, suggesting that the negotiations were not solely about violence reduction but also about securing electoral support. This aligns with the U.S. Treasury's claims that the gangs agreed to support Bukele's political party in upcoming elections.
While Bukele has publicly denied these allegations, calling them "obvious lies" (U.S. Treasury), the consistency of the claims made by both the U.S. Treasury and El Faro lends credibility to the assertion that there is a link between Bukele's administration and gang negotiations for electoral support.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that El Faro's reporting links Bukele to gang negotiations for votes is substantiated by credible evidence from both the U.S. Treasury and investigative journalism by El Faro. The allegations of negotiations for political support in exchange for reduced violence are consistent across multiple reliable sources, making the claim credible and true.
