El Salvador’s Bukele says expects IMF deal after next year’s election
2023.10.19 22:50
© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele addresses the 78th Session of the U.N. General Assembly in New York City, U.S., September 19, 2023. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz/File Photo
SAN LUIS DE LA REINA, El Salvador (Reuters) – Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele said on Thursday he expects to reach an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) over a new financing program after next year’s general elections, which end in March.
“I would expect the deal to come after the elections,” Bukele told reporters at a press conference, adding that the negotiations with the lender have been “very productive.”
Last week, a senior IMF official characterized the talks in the same way.
Rodrigo Valdes, director of the IMF’s Western Hemisphere Department, described a recent mission to El Salvador as “a first step” toward reaching an agreement, but suggested that disagreements remain.
At the time, Valdez did not specify a time-frame for reaching a deal.
El Salvador’s presidential and legislative elections are scheduled for next February, with local elections set for the following month.
