El Salvador Imposes $1,130 Fee on Travelers from Africa and India Amid U.S. Migration Pressure

Move Could Benefit President Nayib Bukele Politically as He Faces Re-election and Human Rights Scrutiny

El Salvador's government has imposed a $1,130 fee on travelers from 57 largely African countries and India connecting through the nation's main airport.
The fee, described as an 'airport improvement fee', comes amid U.S. pressure on Central American countries to control migration flows to its southern border.
Most passengers who have to pay the fee are headed to Nicaragua on the commercial airline Avianca, a transit point for migrants trying to reach the U.S.
The ability to help the U.S. control migration could be a political advantage for El Salvador President Nayib Bukele as he seeks reelection and faces scrutiny for his human rights record.
While the Biden administration has been openly critical of Bukele's record on democracy and human rights, migration appears to be back at the top of the bilateral agenda.