This summer, more than a full year ahead of the 2020 presidential election, the United States signed asylum agreements with each country in Central America’s Northern Triangle: Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras. These nations have been the largest source of migrants coming into the U.S. through its border with Mexico and a constant source of political controversy for President Trump and his Democratic opponents.

Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras all suffer from among the world’s highest murder rates. Despite being the smallest country of the three, El Salvador sits between Guatemala and Honduras. It is the key to stemming migration flows and to revamping the region’s image. With a new president since June, changes are afoot in El Salvador, and the world, including China, is taking note.