Peter Hakim, member of the Advisor board and president emeritus of the Inter-American Dialogue: “No, the U.S. government’s decision to reactivate the Peace Corps in El Salvador was not meant as a sign of approval of President Bukele’s public security policies. But the decision will surely be viewed in many quarters as a growing disregard of U.S. concerns for democracy and human rights in El Salvador. It will also be seen as a reward for El Salvador’s success in bringing brutal gang activity under control and sharply reducing the country’s homicide rate—which not long ago was world’s highest per capita. After all, Peace Corps volunteers were initially withdrawn from El Salvador in 2016, precisely because they, like most Salvadorans as well, were at risk of the spiraling violence throughout the nation. But the return of the Peace Corps, regardless of its purpose or prospects, is a pat on the back to Bukele—and that makes it a dangerous mistake. Why? Because El Salvador has now…”