Percepciones sobre desarrollo, seguridad y cooperación regional: una reflexión constructivista desde la movilidad académica en El Salvador y su contraste con Colombia

Abstract

This paper analyzes perceptions of development, security, and regional cooperation in El Salvador and their relationship with the Colombian context, taking as a starting point the experience gained during an academic mobility program. Its main objective is to understand how the ideas, experiences, and perceptions of a society can influence the way a country understands its reality and makes decisions. The analysis is based on the constructivist approach to International Relations and uses a qualitative and comparative methodology supported by the review of documents, institutional reports, academic sources, and statistical data. The paper examines changes in security in El Salvador, the adoption of Bitcoin as an initiative for economic innovation, and regional cooperation mechanisms, comparing these aspects with the Colombian context. The analysis shows that a country’s international image and the way its citizens interpret social and political changes play an important role in international relations. It also highlights that progress in security and development must be examined by considering actual results and the economic, social, and institutional conditions of each country. Finally, the paper concludes that Colombia and El Salvador can find opportunities for mutual learning through dialogue and cooperation, while recognizing their differences and avoiding the adoption of models without considering the needs of each society.