Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele diverted funds from the development of municipalities to create an institution that decides what public works projects will be carried out and which companies will be hired to do so. He argues that the decision was made to end “corruption by the opposition” in municipalities. However, after almost two years, the government has illegally awarded contracts of up to $266.5 million in discretionary spending to 61 companies, of which those led by public officials, a former Nuevas Ideas candidate and party members stand out.