El Salvador’s Nayib Bukele Urges World Leaders to Prioritize Divine Wisdom Over Wealth at U.S. National Prayer Breakfast
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a keynote address at the 73rd U.S. National Prayer Breakfast on Thursday, Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele challenged global leaders to look beyond economic indicators and approval ratings, urging them to prioritize spiritual discernment in governance. Drawing heavily from biblical texts, the Latin American leader argued that the transformation of his nation was not a result of foreign aid or economic theory, but a consequence of seeking “God’s wisdom.”
Speaking to a bipartisan gathering of Congress members, dignitaries, and religious leaders, Bukele invoked the story of King Solomon from the Second Book of Chronicles. He recounted how, when offered any reward by God, Solomon rejected riches, power, and fame, instead asking for the wisdom to govern his people justly.
“He didn’t ask for money, he didn’t ask for fame, he didn’t ask for power,” Bukele told the audience. “He asked for wisdom to govern his people. And because he didn’t ask for the other things, God gave him the other things as well.”
Bukele utilized the platform to attribute El Salvador’s dramatic shift in security to this theology. Once deemed the “murder capital of the world,” El Salvador has seen its homicide rate plummet to historical lows under Bukele’s administration. He framed this turnaround as a miraculous intervention rather than solely a policy success, stating that his government stopped listening to international experts who offered secular solutions and instead sought spiritual guidance to restore order.
Background and Political Context
Nayib Bukele’s appearance in Washington comes shortly after his landslide re-election in February 2024, where he secured more than 80% of the vote. His popularity at home is driven largely by his “War on Gangs,” a hardline security strategy that has dismantled the grip of MS-13 and Barrio 18, criminal organizations that had effectively controlled vast swathes of the country for decades.
Historically, the U.S. National Prayer Breakfast has served as a forum for political enemies to break bread, but Bukele’s presence highlights a shifting dynamic in U.S.-El Salvador relations. While the Biden administration has previously cooled relations due to concerns over democratic backsliding, Bukele has cultivated strong ties with the American conservative movement, positioning himself as a defender of sovereignty and traditional values.
Controversy and Objections
While Bukele’s speech focused on divine justice, his earthly methods remain a flashpoint for international criticism. Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, argue that the “wisdom” Bukele speaks of has come at the cost of civil liberties.
Since the imposition of a “state of exception” in March 2022, more than 75,000 people have been arrested. Critics allege that the crackdown has resulted in the detention of innocent civilians, suspension of due process, and deaths in custody. Legal experts warn that the consolidation of power—including the replacement of judges and the Attorney General—has eroded the checks and balances essential to the very “just governance” referenced in Solomon’s story.
Opponents argue that citing divine mandate can serve as a shield against political accountability. By framing his governance as a partnership with the divine, critics suggest Bukele effectively places his policy decisions beyond the realm of secular debate or democratic scrutiny.
Despite these objections, Bukele maintained during his address that the results speak for themselves. “They said it was impossible,” Bukele stated, referring to the pacification of his country. “But when we turned to wisdom, the impossible became possible.”
