Nayib Bukele Slams EU Over Criticism of El Salvador’s Foreign Agents Law
The European Union has voiced strong concerns over El Salvador’s recently adopted Foreign Agents Law, warning that it poses a serious threat to civil liberties and contradicts the country’s international commitments.
In a formal statement, the European External Action Service (EEAS) highlighted the risk the law poses to civil society organizations and criticized recent arrests of human rights defenders.
“The EU regrets the adoption of the Foreign Agents Law, which risks restricting civil society and runs counter to international obligations,” the EEAS said.
Bukele Fires Back, Calling EU Outdated and Hypocritical
President Nayib Bukele quickly fired back on social media, dismissing the EU’s criticism and launching a scathing counterattack on the bloc’s leadership and relevance.
“El Salvador regrets that a bloc which is aging, overregulated, energy-dependent, tech-lagging, and led by unelected bureaucrats still insists on lecturing the rest of the world,” Bukele wrote in a tweet that quickly went viral.
The remarks reflect growing tensions between El Salvador’s increasingly independent stance and Western institutions that have scrutinized Bukele’s policies, especially around governance, freedom of expression, and the rule of law.
Context: The Law and Its Implications
El Salvador’s Foreign Agents Law requires organizations receiving funding from abroad to register with the government and disclose activities. Critics argue it could be used to curb dissent, limit NGO operations, and silence political opposition.
The legislation mirrors similar moves in other countries where foreign influence is viewed as a threat to national sovereignty—but it also draws parallels to laws used to suppress dissent.
Broader Implications
Bukele’s response signals a continuing shift in El Salvador’s foreign policy—away from traditional Western influence and toward sovereignty-driven governance, often paired with sharp rebukes of international critics.
While supporters say Bukele is standing up to foreign overreach, human rights groups and international watchdogs warn the law may mark another step toward authoritarianism.
Kosta Gushterov
Reporter at Coindoo
Kosta has been a part of the team since 2021 and has solidified his position with a thirst for knowledge, incredible dedication to his work and a “detective-like” mindset. He not only covers a wide range of trending topics, he also creates reviews, PR articles and educational content. His work has also been referenced by other news outlets.
