A group of Venezuelans with roots in anti-Chavismo are stealthily surrounding El Salvador president Nayib Bukele. The Venezuelans have managed to irritate Salvadoran ministers and senior officials.

They have been in charge of organizing their successful electoral campaigns and serving as liaison with advisors, friends, contractors and salesmen of smoke. The Salvadoran president has used the emergency regime, imposed two years ago through extensions in the Assembly, to deprive civil liberties and fill prisons with gang members.