Flávio Bolsonaro Meets El Salvador's Justice Minister to Discuss Security Model

Presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro met with Gustavo Villatoro, the Minister of Justice and Public Security of El Salvador, at a hotel in central Sao Paulo on Sunday. During the meeting, Villatoro advised Bolsonaro to elect a large number of allies in the Legislative branch to facilitate the implementation of stricter rules for fighting organized crime. Bolsonaro praised the policies of President Nayib Bukele, describing them as an effective rescue of sovereignty and an inspiration for Brazil. He stated that there are too few prisoners in Brazil because the legislation is too loose and mentioned plans to open half a million prison vacancies. Bolsonaro's government plan includes the construction of five federal prisons called Treva, which are inspired by El Salvador's Center for the Confinement of Terrorism. Sergio Moro, who is running for Governor of Parana, also attended the meeting and stated that if elected, he would name a promised prison El Salvador in honor of the model. Other attendees included Senate candidates Guilherme Derrite and Andre do Prado. Villatoro is in Sao Paulo for a public security event organized in part by Moro. Center and center left sources frame the event by highlighting that Bolsonaro ignored human rights violations in El Salvador, noting that the country operates under a permanent state of exception with reports of torture and the suspension of constitutional guarantees.