The President of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele, announced this tuesday the beginning of a new offer to repurchase external debt bonds maturing between 2027 and 2034, offering a public and voluntary opportunity for bondholders of these bonds. This strategy seeks to improve the country’s financial sustainability, sending a signal of economic stability and confidence to foreign investors, who could see El Salvador as a safe destination for their investments.
The bond repurchase will be open until november 18, 2024, allowing bondholders to evaluate and decide if they wish to participate in this offer, which will end at 5:00 p.m. (New York time). Settlement of accepted bonds will take place on or about November 25. The government of El Salvador has announced that it reserves the right to accept part or all of the bonds offered, based on a pro-rata process if the amount of bonds presented exceeds the established limit.
This move could benefit El Salvador by reducing its debt burden in the medium and long term. By amortizing a significant portion of its external debt, the country seeks to reduce its future interest payments, which in turn could free up resources to be used for economic and social development projects
This strategy also sends a signal of fiscal responsibility to rating agencies and the global financial community, which could improve the country’s perception in international markets. El Salvador could improve its credit ratings and attract investors looking for countries with a controlled risk profile and in the process of economic growth.
This focus on stability could open doors to new opportunities in strategic sectors, such as infrastructure and technology, promoting the diversification of the Salvadoran economy. In the context of global markets, this repurchase places El Salvador in a more competitive position.