Article

The United States and El Salvador have signed a bilateral agreement to boost investment in critical minerals, allowing U.S. companies to engage in exploration and development within El Salvador. This partnership follows the lifting of a mining ban in December 2024 and emphasizes minerals essential for U.S. clean energy and defense, while also aligning El Salvador with U.S. sanctions and export controls. The agreement strengthens trade cooperation and reinforces El Salvador's strategic role in the critical minerals sector under the CAFTA-DR framework.