Ricardo Salinas, who has emerged as one of the most vocal champions of bitcoin, made the trek to El Salvador. The millionaire flew journalists Max Keiser and Stacy Herbert to the first country to legalize bitcoin as a form of payment. He met with President Bukele, Changpeng Zhao, CEO of Binance, and Samson Mow, among others. And, fortunately for us, Salinas captured the entire event on Twitter.
What can be gleaned from Mexico’s third wealthiest individual’s visit to El Salvador?
Ricardo Salinas Is Imprisoned By Max Keiser
The first video in the story shows Salinas joking in English as Keizer hands him a copy of “The Book of Max.” Take note of how a camera crew with a full complement of crew members passes them by. This journey was well chronicled.
.@RicardoBSalinas loves “The Book of Max” https://t.co/oaDmKMwtu8 pic.twitter.com/N4Eeddnlq6
— MAX💙🇸🇻 (@maxkeiser) March 24, 2022
Then, Keiser says that during the flight, Ricardo Salinas “outlined dozens of ways in which El Salvador’s new Bitcoin securities regulations (now pending in the assembly) can be leveraged to transform the country into a worldwide financial hub and significantly boost GDP.” His aptitude for business and finance is astounding. ” These economic and intellectual exchanges will ultimately help Salvadorans.
I’m a natural businessman… always looking for inclusive prosperity and freedom 😎🤷🏻♂️🤪 https://t.co/EEFJcxbOCn
— Ricardo Salinas Pliego (@RicardoBSalinas) March 25, 2022
To Max’s acclaim, the millionaire remarked, “I’m a natural businessman… I’m constantly on the lookout for inclusive prosperity and liberty.” However, the President’s Communications Secretariat did not stop there in praising him. “Mexican businessman Ricardo Salinas has arrived. He is the founder and president of Grupo Salinas. He’s here El Salvador to learn about the opportunities that Bitcoin presents in a country where it is legal tender.”
Muchas gracias por tan amable recibimiento, es para mi un placer visitar su país y seguir aprendiendo sobre el uso del #Bitcoin como moneda legal, ante todo y después de todo… la libertad 😌😎 https://t.co/oyVcDpL1aW
— Ricardo Salinas Pliego (@RicardoBSalinas) March 24, 2022
“Thank you very much for the nice welcome,” the millionaire reacted to the Secretariat’s appreciation. It’s an honor for me to visit your country and continue my education regarding the use of Bitcoin as legal cash.”
The Reception in El Salvador
When the party arrives, Milena Mayorga, El Salvador’s Ambassador to the United States, will greet them. She’s had a busy week, having also met Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao.
Muy amable la embajadadora @MilenaMayorga quien nos recibe a nombre del presidente @nayibbukele.
Vienen @stacyherbert y @realmaxkeiser con nosotros a ver que hacen en El Salvador con #Bitcoin https://t.co/fgqWykf1ao— Ricardo Salinas Pliego (@RicardoBSalinas) March 24, 2022
Stacy Herbert, a podcaster, also shared a polished video of the party’s arrival. Max Keizer concludes with a few words of wisdom:
"We are at an historic inflection point. For fiat money. And #Bitcoin" – @maxkeiser
San Salvador, 24 March 2022 on the tarmac with the arrival of @RicardoBSalinas
🇸🇻🍊💊🚀 pic.twitter.com/ZkKTEzY6jT
— Stacy Herbert 🇸🇻 (@stacyherbert) March 25, 2022
President Bukele Receives a Visit from Ricardo Salinas
The millionaire documented the meeting with photographs and a report. “Today, I was received at the presidential residence by El Salvador’s President, Nayib Bukele. I brought him “Mexico’s first map” and a balero, and he gave me a tangible Bitcoin.”
El día de hoy, me recibió en la casa presidencial El Presidente de El Salvador @nayibbukele, le lleve a regalar “El primer mapa de Mexico” y un balero y recibí de su parte un #Bitcoin en moneda. Muchas gracias Presidente por su tiempo y por el grato recibimiento. Es un gusto!!! pic.twitter.com/E1BE6S7sAY
— Ricardo Salinas Pliego (@RicardoBSalinas) March 25, 2022
Then, the President himself uploaded another batch of images via Twitter. Ricardo Salinas went into detail in his response, “I am certain that only through freedom can we as a culture grow, and I am convinced that Bitcoin is the currency of liberty.”
Ha sido un gusto conocerlo Presidente, de nuevo muchas gracias por recibirnos hoy en El Salvador, estoy seguro que solamente con libertad podremos evolucionar como civilización y estoy seguro que el #Bitcoin es la moneda de la libertad, abrazo y nos vemos pronto, gracias!!! 😌👊🏼 https://t.co/ZyZHQcIAyy
— Ricardo Salinas Pliego (@RicardoBSalinas) March 25, 2022
Ricardo Salinas Makes a Volcano Mine Visit
Then it’s time for Samson Mow. The former Blockstream employee uploaded a photo of the pair in a chopper on their way to the bitcoin volcano mine. Ricardo Salinas also went into detail in his response, stating, “We will continue working in El Salvador because if we do not attempt to resolve it, no one will come to save us.”
Seguimos trabajando en El Salvador, porque si no le buscamos nosotros, no va a venir nadie a sacarnos de donde estamos.
Tengo 66 años, 12.9 miles de millones USD (dicen 🙄) y todos los días me despierto a trabajar como si no tuviera un peso, así que a darle. https://t.co/Zy2EIcOjZ7
— Ricardo Salinas Pliego (@RicardoBSalinas) March 24, 2022
Then, Salinas shared an aerial view of the whole geo plant. It’s remove the operation:
Sobre volamos la planta @LaGeoSV en El Salvador y bajamos a visitarla y conocer… muchas oportunidades que aprovechar y muchas lecciones que aprender 😌😎#Bitcoin 🇲🇽 pic.twitter.com/8ZZRbOVRuN
— Ricardo Salinas Pliego (@RicardoBSalinas) March 25, 2022
Not to be left behind, Max Keizer shared a video of him and Samson Mow arriving at the plant.
.@Excellion – architect of El Salvador’s 🇸🇻 ‘Volcano Bonds’ arriving at geo-thermal facility with @maxkeiser
These bonds are over subscribed as the world scrambles for #Bitcoin now that the $USD has lost its status as world reserve currency post 🇺🇦 🇷🇺 conflict. pic.twitter.com/xDQlF6FYSN
— MAX💙🇸🇻 (@maxkeiser) March 25, 2022
The journalist takes advantage of the moment to extol the virtues of volcano bonds. “These bonds are oversubscribed as the world scrambles for Bitcoin in the aftermath of the Russia/Ukraine war.”
Changpeng Zhao’s Lunch
All of these billionaires are making their way to El Salvador. Almost certainly nothing. Binance’s CEO and Ricardo Salinas did meet, as evidenced by the following photograph:
La última foto del día, acompañado de puro personaje @Excellion, @cz_binance y mi hijo Hugo Salinas… también les dejo una de una hermosa vista acá en El Salvador.
Ahora si a descansar 😌🥱😴 pic.twitter.com/OK2svSdakP
— Ricardo Salinas Pliego (@RicardoBSalinas) March 25, 2022
Of course, there was controversy. A Salvadoran politician named Anabel Belloso accused the Government of paying for fancy dinners and private flights. Ricardo Salinas responded by highlighting his company’s logo and the Mexican flag in his plane. And he shared a picture of a dinner in which all of this post’s protagonists were present except the President.
Ah y le dejo mi foto de la comida, nada de lujo 😌🤔 pic.twitter.com/1YgCGiBEbh
— Ricardo Salinas Pliego (@RicardoBSalinas) March 26, 2022
Which doesn’t mean that the Government didn’t spend public funds during those visits. However, receiving two potential billion-dollar investors is good business everywhere in the world. Plus, it’s a good sign.
Disclaimer: These are the writer’s opinions and should not be considered investment advice. Readers should do their own research.