El Salvador’s Bukele Throws Shade at Europe Ahead of Trump Meeting, Elon Musk Reacts
- Posted on April 13, 2025
- News
- By Arijit Dutta
- 66 Views
El Salvador President Nayib Bukele posted a photo of an uncapped bottle on social media, potentially mocking Europe's plastic regulations. His post, ahead of a meeting with Trump, was met with a reaction from Elon Musk. Bukele has had tense relations with Europe, criticizing its declining freedoms.
Ahead of his meeting with US President Donald Trump, El Salvador President Nayib Bukele took to social media to post an apparent dig at Europe. Bukele, who is set to meet Trump on Monday to discuss the deportation of illegal immigrants to El Salvador, posted a photo of an uncapped bottle on X (formerly known as Twitter) with the caption, "It’s real. This ain’t a drill!" Elon Musk quickly responded to the tweet with a laughing emoji, adding fuel to the speculation surrounding the post.
While the reason behind Bukele’s post remains unclear, many social media users believe the uncapped bottle may be a subtle jab at the European Union’s 2019 Single-Use Plastics Directive. This EU regulation mandates that bottle caps be tethered to bottles starting in July 2024 to reduce plastic waste. The uncapped bottle in Bukele’s post may have been a critique of this regulation, hinting at Europe’s growing restrictions.
Bukele’s relationship with Europe has been strained. Earlier this week, the Trump administration elevated El Salvador’s travel safety designation, putting the country ahead of certain Western European nations. In 2024, Bukele had criticized Europe for what he perceived as a decline in freedom, stating, "You can't claim the title free world if your people are not even free to walk down the streets."
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During his meeting with Trump, Bukele is expected to discuss cooperation on combating gangs such as MS-13 and Tren de Aragua, and how El Salvador’s supermax prisons could be used for detained migrants. Trump has praised El Salvador's efforts, calling the country a model for cooperation.
