Fri May 23 17:31:17 UTC 2025: ## Bukele’s New Law Sparks Fears of Censorship in El Salvador
**SAN SALVADOR** – A controversial new law championed by President Nayib Bukele has ignited a firestorm of criticism, with human rights groups and political analysts accusing the Salvadoran leader of attempting to silence dissent and stifle critical voices within the country.
The law, swiftly passed by El Salvador’s Congress under the firm control of Bukele’s New Ideas party, mandates that any individual or organization receiving foreign funding or acting in the interest of a foreign entity must register with a newly created government body, the Registry of Foreign Agents (RAEX). Furthermore, all payments to these groups, whether in cash, goods, or services, will be subject to a 30-percent tax.
Critics argue that the law, reminiscent of similar measures in Nicaragua, Venezuela, Russia, Belarus, and China, grants RAEX sweeping powers, including the authority to approve or deny registration applications, revoke registrations, and demand information at any time. This, they fear, will allow the government to arbitrarily target and shut down NGOs critical of Bukele’s administration. Violations of the law can result in hefty fines, ranging from $100,000 to $250,000, and potential closure of the organization.
While Bukele claims the law is intended to limit foreign influence and corruption, detractors maintain that it is a thinly veiled attempt to consolidate power and suppress criticism. They point to Bukele’s previous attempt to introduce a similar law in 2021, which was shelved after international condemnation, as well as his recent actions that suggest a growing crackdown on dissent.
Approximately 8,000 NGOs operate in El Salvador, many of which rely on foreign donations due to limited domestic funding opportunities. These organizations have often been at odds with Bukele, particularly concerning his policies like waiving constitutional rights to combat gangs and seeking re-election despite constitutional prohibitions.
The law’s enactment follows a series of actions by Bukele that have raised concerns about the shrinking space for free expression in El Salvador. The timing, shortly after a violent police crackdown on protestors near Bukele’s home, has further fueled suspicions that the government is actively working to silence its critics.
The law has drawn comparisons to the United States’ Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), but analysts argue that Bukele’s law is far broader in scope and grants the government significantly more power. This has prompted fears that El Salvador is entering a new era of authoritarianism, jeopardizing the country’s democratic institutions and fundamental freedoms.
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