El Salvador's aviation authority revealed the government will charge a $1,130 fee to citizens of 57 African countries and India, amid the pressure from the United States to control migration.
The government began charging the fee at the end of October. However, the aviation authority said the amount was being charged as an "airport improvement fee," but did not mention if it was being implemented to reduce migration.
The U.S. embassy refused to comment when asked if they pushed for the implementation of the fee, AP News reported.
El Salvador's aviation authority also disclosed that most passengers, who were paying the fees, were heading toward Nicaragua using the commercial airline Avianca. Nicaragua is the point used by migrants coming via Haiti, Cuba, and Africa.
These migrants are leaving Latin American countries to reach the United States for a better life as their own countries are dealing with several problems including inflation and high crime rates.
While the El Salvador government has not clarified the reason behind this move, there is a possibility President Nayib Bukele seeks the U.S. government's support considering he has been under fire for democracy and human rights.
Previously, the U.S. State Department alleged that under the administration of Bukele, there have been "unlawful or arbitrary killings, forced disappearances; torture and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment by security forces; harsh and life-threatening prison conditions."
Central America analyst for International Crisis Group, Pamela Ruiz, noted that many governments including Bukele seem to be helping the U.S. curb migration pressure.
"Most governments have recognized that what is of clear interest to the United States is migration and so therefore it becomes a bargaining chip," Ruiz said. "They will either become partners or adversaries on this issue."
Experts say that Latin American countries like Nicaragua are using this situation to get concessions from the U.S. amid sanctions.
More than 260 flights comprising migrants from Haiti have reached Nicaragua in the past few months to enter the U.S. Experts believe Managua is "weaponizing migration as a foreign policy."
After the Nicaragua route to enter the U.S. surfaced on social media in August, more than 260 charter flights have arrived in Nicaragua in the last few months, according to flight data and experts in the region.
Nicaragua's route has been used by people from many Caribbean and African nations because the country doesn't require a visa to enter and stay for up to 90 days.
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