As the global landscape evolves and new corridors of cooperation take shape, the relationship between Latin America and the Gulf is entering a promising new chapter. At the forefront of this transformation is the Republic of El Salvador, boldly stepping onto the Gulf stage with the recent opening of its first embassy in the United Arab Emirates. This historic move signals far more than diplomatic presence—it embodies El Salvador’s strategic intent to forge lasting political, economic, and cultural alliances in one of the world’s most dynamic regions.
Leading this endeavor is H.E. Gerardo Pérez , Ambassador of El Salvador to the UAE. A seasoned diplomat with more than two decades of experience across Europe and the Middle East, Ambassador Pérez brings a powerful blend of global insight and national pride to his mission. From his distinguished roles in embassies in France, Qatar, and the UK, to his leadership in diaspora affairs and development at El Salvador’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he has long championed the role of diplomacy as a catalyst for progress.
Ambassador Pérez’s business acumen—honed through a degree from ESI School of Management—complements his deep understanding of international engagement. Under his stewardship, El Salvador is embracing the UAE not only as a political ally but as a key partner in innovation, trade, tourism, and sustainable development. Inspired by the bold reforms and global outlook of President Nayib Bukele’s administration, the Ambassador envisions a vibrant roadmap of collaboration—from renewable energy and fintech to cultural exchange and infrastructure.
In this exclusive interview, Ambassador Pérez shares his ambitious vision for El Salvador’s presence in the Gulf. He reflects on recent milestones, outlines priority sectors for bilateral cooperation, and offers personal insights into how two geographically distant nations are discovering common ground in values, opportunity, and ambition.
This is more than a diplomatic mission—it’s a story of connection, transformation, and future-building. And it begins with a visionary ambassador determined to place El Salvador at the heart of the UAE–Latin America alliance.
Could you share with us a brief overview of your diplomatic mission in the UAE and the main objectives you hope to achieve during your tenure?
As the Ambassador of El Salvador in the UAE, my diplomatic mission primarily focuses on strengthening the political, economic, and cultural ties between our two countries. One of the main objectives of my tenure is to facilitate cooperation in key sectors such as trade, investment, tourism, and technology.
“my diplomatic mission primarily focuses on strengthening the political, economic, and cultural ties between our two countries”
Additionally, we aim to promote El Salvador’s rich cultural heritage and support sustainable development initiatives that align with both nations’ strategic interests. In the short term, our specific objective is to kickstart our relationship with the UAE through the signing of a series of comprehensive economic agreements that we hope establishes a framework for trade and investment to flow between our two nations.
What are the key sectors of economic cooperation between El Salvador and the UAE, and how can businesses in both countries benefit from these opportunities?
The key sectors of economic cooperation between El Salvador and the UAE include agriculture, energy, tourism, technology and infrastructure. El Salvador offers opportunities for investment in sectors such as renewable energy, agribusiness, and textiles, while the UAE’s advanced infrastructure and strong financial sector present avenues for collaboration. By fostering business partnerships, companies in both countries can benefit from enhanced market access, innovation, and mutual economic growth.
Additionally, the UAE has pioneered the use of Blockchain technology to digitalize government processes, which in turn has made their government more efficient and has facilitated life for its citizens. I believe there are lessons we can learn from this.
How do you perceive the growing ties between Central America and the UAE, and what role does El Salvador play in this relationship?
Central America’s growing relationship with the UAE reflects an increasing recognition of the region’s potential in trade and investment. El Salvador, as a member of Central America’s economic community, plays a pivotal role in connecting the region with the UAE. Given our recent track record: safest country in the Western Hemisphere, debt-to- GDP reduction of 59% in 2024, GDP growth of 19% between 2021 and 2023, among many other incredible milestones – El Salvador, thanks to the leadership of President Bukele, has become an attractive destination that I believe has the right set of conditions to bring the UAE closer to our region.
Are there any recent agreements or initiatives that reflect the strengthening of diplomatic and trade relations between El Salvador and the UAE?
The recent opening of our Embassy in the UAE is a clear message that reflects the strengthening of our bilateral relationship. Besides this, we have signed a couple of MOUs between our Ministries of Foreign Affairs related to cooperation and exchange of policy matters. Having said that, and as mentioned previously, we want to kickstart our relationship with the UAE through the signing of a series of comprehensive economic agreements: an agreement to avoid double taxation, another to promote and protect investment, and finally a comprehensive economic partnership agreement to facilitate trade.
“We want to kickstart our relationship with the UAE through the signing of a series of comprehensive economic agreements.“
President Bukele has instructed us to build bridges with this incredible country. The UAE, thanks to the vision of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and the continuous work of His Excellency Sheik Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has become a point of reference in many areas such as: technology, infrastructure, mobility, energy efficiency, among many others. Now that our Embassy has opened at the start of this year, we hope that new initiatives and agreements will be agreed, and our relationship will only grow stronger and stronger.
In terms of tourism, what steps is your embassy taking to promote El Salvador as a destination for UAE citizens and residents?
El Salvador is a travel powerhouse in a tiny package. El Salvador has world-class surfing beaches; coffee plantations clinging to the sides of volcanoes; colorful countryside villages, incredible cuisine and even better people. I believe the best way to effectively advertise my country as a tourist destination is by actively promoting the wonders and uniqueness it offers to UAE citizens and residents.
The Embassy is focusing on showcasing El Salvador’s natural beauty, historical landmarks, and unique cultural experiences, which appeal to tourists seeking adventure, history, and eco-tourism. To do this, we plan to explore different tradeshows and forums on tourism or to hold events with local partners like universities that are interested in learning about our region.
We are also exploring collaborations with tourism agencies in the UAE to develop tailored travel packages and raise awareness about our country’s attractions. The Embassy is looking for investors in real estate and infrastructure that can make a positive impact on our tourism, taking into consideration that El Salvador now has a friendly and secure environment for investors to come and settle down in our country. We want to give the best experience possible to travellers.
What are the most significant cultural exchanges between El Salvador and the UAE, and how can these deepen mutual understanding between our two countries?
Cultural exchanges are a critical element in strengthening ties between our two nations. The Embassy of El Salvador plans to actively participate in cultural events in the UAE, showcasing our music, dance, gastronomy, and art. We plan to host exhibitions and performances that allow Emirati citizens to engage with Salvadoran culture. These exchanges will help deepen mutual understanding, promote tolerance, and create lasting bonds between the people of El Salvador and the UAE.
How does El Salvador’s position on sustainability and environmental issues align with the UAE’s vision for a greener future, and what collaborations are taking place in this field?
El Salvador shares the UAE’s commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. We are particularly interested in collaborating on renewable energy, climate change mitigation, and sustainable agriculture. El Salvador’s initiatives in reforestation and clean energy align with the UAE’s Green Development Strategy. Our participation in forums such as COP28 further demonstrates our shared vision for a greener future. Additionally, El Salvador is an active member of International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) which the UAE hosts in its country. I look forward to enhancing our cooperation on projects that will benefit both nations and the global environment.
“El Salvador shares the UAE’s commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship”
Looking ahead, what initiatives or projects are you most excited about in the coming years that will further enhance the relationship between El Salvador and the UAE?
Looking ahead, we are excited about several initiatives that will deepen our relationship with the UAE. Among these is the development of joint ventures in technology, renewable energy, and infrastructure. Additionally, we are eager to establish a direct air link between the UAE and El Salvador to promote both tourism and trade. Lastly, initiatives to strengthen bilateral educational exchanges and promote investment opportunities in El Salvador’s growing digital and agricultural sectors are also in progress. We are optimistic that these projects will serve as the foundation for a strong and enduring partnership.
Exclusive Interview Latin&Gulf 2025
