Redefining El Salvador – Open talk with Amb. Julia Emma Villatoro Tario

Julia Emma Villatoro Tario exemplifies this spirit, embodying women’s ability to play a leading role in the modern world. Julia left the Central American José Simeón Cañas University in San Salvador with a bachelor’s degree in law, and from 2009 to 2016 served as Deputy Permanent Representative in Vienna. Before becoming Ambassador of El Salvador to Austria in January 2020, she was Ambassador to Belgium and Luxembourg. She speaks Spanish, English, and German, and has managed to accompany this glittering career with family life, having two daughters.

To begin with, can you tell me how you came to be Ambassador and Permanent Representative in Vienna?

I’m thrilled to share some of my experiences and insights about my country, El Salvador. By profession, I am a lawyer and notary public, and in 2013 I joined the diplomatic career of El Salvador. Nevertheless, my work in the Foreign Service began in March 2009 when I was first posted to Vienna. At that time, I was Minister Counselor. Eight years later, I was assigned to Brussels, and I became an ambassador in November 2016. In November 2019, I returned to Vienna as the ambassador and permanent representative to the United Nations and other international organisations. It’s a great honor and privilege. 

What have been your main priorities as Ambassador in Vienna so far?

My priorities align with El Salvador’s established goals, focusing on promoting investment, commercial relations, and tourism. As a diplomat, I represent El Salvador in Austria, Croatia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary, Romania and Serbia. In the multilateral system, the main tasks are addressed to technical assistance and international cooperation in areas where my country is interested. My colleagues and I are dedicated to enhancing our economic ties, encouraging investment, and showcasing our beautiful country. El Salvador has unique, diverse landscapes, such as volcanoes, beaches, pyramids, lakes, and forests within its 21,000 square kilometres.

El Salvador has undergone significant changes. How has the country evolved over the last decade?

In the last four to five years, under President Nayib Bukele, El Salvador has undergone significant transformation, particularly in security. Previously, this was one of the most dangerous countries in the world due to gang violence. President Nayib Bukele’s Controlled Territorial Plan has successfully reclaimed areas dominated by gangs. He’s strengthened police resources and built a large prison for gang members. Now, El Salvador is one of the safest countries in the region. The capital city has been revitalized with new buildings and a 24-hour library, and I’m pleased to say it’s safe to travel and explore the country once more.

Has there been an increase in tourism as a result of these changes?

Absolutely. Since El Salvador’s transformation, we’ve hosted major events like Miss Universe and the Central American Championships. These events attracted visitors from around the world, boosting tourism. Miss Universe alone brought in 65,000 visitors and attracted 132 million online viewers. From January to November 2024, we welcomed around 3.4 million tourists.
El Salvador’s commitment to growth and security, added to its unique blend of natural beauty and cultural richness, has made it a must-visit destination.

Do you think these events will be a game-changer for hosting more international events in El Salvador?

I believe so. Hosting these events has showcased our capability and potential to the world, puts us in a great position for hosting more international events in the future.

Looking to the future, how do you see the economy and foreign trade developing for El Salvador?
Which sectors do you think will thrive and what new ideas are being explored?

As I mentioned earlier, promoting commercial investment is a key focus for El Salvador. Building on initiatives like our Bitcoin adoption, we’ve launched the Freedom Visa Program. This is designed for foreigners who want to join us in our development efforts, allowing them to become part of El Salvador by making donations, which will be used to fund social projects in the country. This initiative aims to attract global participation in improving education, social conditions, job opportunities, and infrastructure in El Salvador.

President Nayib Bukele introduced the visa program as part of a holistic approach to development. By involving foreigners, we hope to enhance social projects and promote investment. For example, donations from participants will directly support social projects and create new job opportunities and better living conditions for Salvadorans.

We are also exploring commercial missions to El Salvador. I recently discussed with our excellent Hungarian honorary consul, Mr. Adam Bölcs, the possibility of organizing such missions. These efforts will strengthen El Salvador’s economy and improve conditions for our people and the country as a whole.

These are exciting times for the country as we continue to build on the reforms and stability of the last few years. El Salvador has so much to offer in terms of tourism, investment and business, and Ambassador Julia Villatoro’s work in Europe is helping to advertise this wonderful country to potential visitors and investors.
The future has never been brighter. 

You mentioned having an excellent honorary consul in Hungary. How do you see the economic ties in the region developing, particularly with Hungary, Austria, and other Central European countries?

There are significant opportunities in the region. As ambassador to Austria and concurrently to Hungary, I’ve seen substantial progress in our commercial relations, especially with honorary consul Adam Bölcs. Since I presented my credentials last year, we’ve made great strides. For instance, Salvadoran coffee and rum are now available here, and we are discussing potential Hungarian and other Central European investments in El Salvador.

During my five years as ambassador to Austria, despite nearly two years of lockdowns, we’ve achieved a lot. We’ve also made significant progress culturally. Thanks to Mr. Bölcs, El Salvador participated twice in the Art Market Budapest, one of Hungary and Central and Eastern Europe’s major art fairs. This was a fantastic opportunity to showcase our country’s talent, including the talents of some of our wonderful young painters, and to present our cuisine, including our traditional pupusas and Salvadoran rum. The presence of a dedicated honorary consul in Hungary has been crucial. His constant efforts have opened many doors for us. This is my fourth visit to Hungary in less than a year, demonstrating the vibrant activities and opportunities here. There are still many important projects and collaborations ahead, and we look forward to sharing more updates soon.

I’m looking forward to sharing this good news in our magazine. We’ve been discussing culture, and I’m particularly interested in the Salvadoran presence in Europe. Is there a significant Salvadoran diaspora in Central Europe?

To be honest, there isn’t a large Salvadoran community in Austria or Hungary. We do have significant diaspora communities in Spain, Italy, Sweden, and France. Our diaspora is very important to us, and President Nayib Bukele has emphasized the need to provide them with the best possible services.

With the support of our honorary consul, we’ve been able to assist Salvadorans living here, even during the lockdown. For example, we managed to issue passports by opening a dedicated office and learning how to handle passport processing. Salvadorans can now get a passport in just one hour at the Embassy of El Salvador in Vienna. We’ve invested in online services, so you can obtain documents like birth certificates quickly and easily through our website.

Even though our diaspora in Central Europe is not too big, we are committed to providing excellent services to every Salvadoran abroad. This includes easy access to necessary documents and consular services, ensuring our people feel connected and supported regardless of their location.

And last but not least, given the progress made this year, what are your expectations moving forward in your role as the Ambassador of El Salvador?

As mentioned before, I’m dedicated to advancing initiatives that bring concrete benefits to my country and its people. On 30 October 2024, I signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Hungary, allowing Salvadoran students to access scholarships under the Stipendium Hungaricum program. This aligns with President Nayib Bukele’s vision of a knowledge-based society. I remain committed to expanding educational opportunities, fostering professional growth, and enhancing our global partnerships as part of this ongoing mission.

Photo: Gábor Eszterle

“As women, we have been created by God with capacities and abilities that enable us to perform any role in society. I encourage new generations of women and girls to be innovative, resilient, and curious. There is always something new to learn…” remarked Ambassador Villatoro at the International Gender Champions (IGC)

What can you tell us about the security model implemented in El Salvador that has been so successful and has transformed the lives of millions of Salvadorans?

Thanks to the security policies of President Nayib Bukele, El Salvador is now a benchmark for safety in the region. Many European countries have updated their travel advisories, shifting from cautionary warnings to more favourable recommendations. This transformation highlights the effectiveness of our approach in reclaiming public spaces, reducing crime, and restoring a sense of safety for both Salvadorans and visitors alike.

And last but not least, given the progress made this year, what are your expectations moving forward in your role as the Ambassador of El Salvador?

As mentioned before, I’m dedicated to advancing initiatives that bring concrete benefits to my country and its people. On 30 October 2024, I signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Hungary, allowing Salvadoran students to access scholarships under the Stipendium Hungaricum program. This aligns with President Nayib Bukele’s vision of a knowledge-based society. I remain committed to expanding educational opportunities, fostering professional growth, and enhancing our global partnerships as part of this ongoing mission.