Bukele’s Foreign Agents Law Threatens Civil Liberties \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ El Salvador’s Congress has approved a controversial law that imposes strict regulations on NGOs and foreign-funded entities, sparking widespread criticism. Human rights groups and political analysts warn the law aims to silence dissent and suppress civil society. The move aligns El Salvador with authoritarian trends seen in other nations.
Quick Looks
- Law Targets NGOs: Entities with foreign funding must register and pay steep taxes.
- Press Freedom at Risk: Journalists and rights groups could face shutdowns or fines.
- Power Consolidation: Critics say Bukele is weaponizing the law post-election wins.
- New Oversight Agency: RAEX granted sweeping authority over civil society operations.
- Activist Arrests: Recent detentions signal intensifying repression of opposition voices.
- Hefty Penalties: Fines for violations range from $100,000 to $250,000.
- Political Activity Banned: NGOs can’t engage in actions deemed ‘threatening to order’.
- Echoes Authoritarianism: Law compared to repressive measures in Russia and China.
Deep Look
President Nayib Bukele’s government has ignited a political firestorm by pushing through a sweeping new law that imposes unprecedented restrictions on NGOs, independent media, and foreign-funded organizations in El Salvador. Critics say the legislation, approved late Tuesday by a Congress dominated by Bukele’s New Ideas party, represents a dangerous step toward authoritarianism.
The law, which bypassed standard legislative procedures, was resurrected after being shelved in 2021 amid international backlash. This time, with Bukele’s near-total control of government institutions, it sailed through with minimal opposition or public debate.
What’s in the Law?
Dubbed the Foreign Agents Law, the legislation mandates that any group or individual operating with foreign support must register with a newly created agency — the Registry of Foreign Agents (RAEX). Those registered will face a 30% tax on all funding received, regardless of whether it comes in cash, goods, or services.
The law’s definition of a “foreign agent” is intentionally broad, encompassing:
- Human rights watchdogs
- Civil society and community groups
- Faith-based organizations
- Foreign-backed media
- International development agencies
- Even startup businesses receiving external funding
Crucially, the law allows RAEX to approve or deny registrations at will, demand documentation, revoke permissions, and shut down organizations it deems noncompliant. It also forbids registered entities from engaging in any activities that could be considered “political” or “threatening to public order.”
What Does This Mean for Civil Society?
El Salvador is home to around 8,000 NGOs, many of which rely on foreign donations. These groups have historically played a vital role in addressing poverty, promoting human rights, and holding the government accountable. Under the new rules:
- NGOs must report all donations, disclose donors, and explain how funds are used.
- Transactions must be fully documented through formal banking channels.
- Political engagement or sharing foreign-funded information without disclaimers is banned.
- Noncompliance could lead to fines up to $250,000 or permanent closure.
Some exemptions exist, but RAEX — directly under executive control — will decide who qualifies. Critics fear that only pro-government groups will be approved, while those that challenge Bukele’s agenda will be targeted.
Timing and Political Context
The law’s passage follows a string of high-profile crackdowns on Bukele’s critics:
- Just days earlier, police arrested an anti-corruption lawyer from the NGO Cristosal, known for investigating abuses under Bukele’s emergency security measures.
- Opposition bus company leaders were detained after defying an order issued via Bukele’s personal X account.
- Reporters from El Faro, a respected investigative outlet, fled the country amid reports that arrest warrants were being prepared after publishing exposés on government-gang ties.
The timing — directly after protests near Bukele’s home — suggests the law is a direct response to rising dissent. Observers say it echoes legislative tactics seen in Nicaragua, Venezuela, Russia, and China, where civil society has been systematically dismantled through legal tools masked as “anti-corruption” or “national security” measures.
What Critics Are Saying
Opposition lawmaker Claudia Ortiz labeled the law “an authoritarian tool for censorship,” warning it gives Bukele unchecked control to punish any group that speaks out.
Roxana Cardona, a lawyer with Justicia Social y Contraloría Ciudadana, said the law is meant to undermine civic engagement and silence marginalized voices the state often neglects.
Eduardo Escobar, director of Acción Ciudadana, argued the law “violates constitutional protections” and is a strategic step in increasing repression.
Legal analyst Bessy Ríos put it bluntly: “This law is designed to choke off funding for watchdogs critical of the administration.”
Global Implications
International organizations are closely monitoring the situation. The parallels with similar laws passed by Vladimir Putin in Russia, Daniel Ortega in Nicaragua, and Xi Jinping in China are striking — all used to muzzle dissent and suppress media freedom under the guise of national interest.
While Bukele maintains high domestic approval ratings and brands himself as the “world’s coolest dictator,” the new law is casting a long shadow over El Salvador’s democratic institutions. It threatens to redefine what’s possible for civic space and public discourse, not only in El Salvador but across the region.
As the law takes effect, many fear it marks the start of a new era of repression — one where NGOs, journalists, and activists must choose between compliance, silence, or exile.
Bukele’s Foreign Agents Bukele’s Foreign Agents
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