Bukele clamps down on dissent with controversial 'foreign agents' bill

In El Salvador, President Nayib Bukele announced his intention to advance a controversial ‘foreign agents’ bill that is perceived as a threat to civil society and independent journalism. This announcement came days after peaceful protests against a government eviction order were met with police violence. The proposed law includes a 30% tax on donations to non-governmental organizations, some of which have criticized Bukele’s government for undemocratic practices. This move has been linked to a similar effort from 2021 that faced significant international backlash and ultimately failed in Congress after concerns from the Biden administration and the European Union were raised. Critics of Bukele express that this initiative is part of a broader pattern of tightening control over dissent and repressing civil liberties in the country since he consolidated power in various branches of government. Furthermore, incumbent human rights activists argue that the legislation appears to be designed to delegitimize organizations receiving foreign funding and stifle their operations, which is a common method used by autocratic regimes. Observers also note that Bukele has felt emboldened by his political alliance with U.S. President Donald Trump, further asserting that such measures align with those previously seen in neighboring Nicaragua, where over 3,500 NGOs have been shut down under similar laws. Amidst reports of proposed arrest warrants for journalists pursuing stories critical of the president, Bukele's administration underscores a growing trend of repression against media outlets and civil society as it seeks to maintain its grip on power. As critics express their alarm about the implications for democratic freedoms, there are questions about the trajectory that El Salvador is following under Bukele’s leadership in the region, and whether this will lead to an environment devoid of critical voices against the government.