El Salvador reaffirmed its commitment to consumer protection during a conference titled “Consumer Rights and Obligations of Goods and Services Providers in El Salvador.” The event, organized by the Consumer Protection Agency (Defensoría del Consumidor), marked the eve of National and World Consumer Rights Day.

“Tomorrow, we celebrate this important day, an opportunity to showcase our efforts,” said Ricardo Salazar, President of the agency. He highlighted that “since 1985, the United Nations has provided global guidelines for consumer protection,” helping to establish ethical business practices and prevent abuses.

Under Bukele’s administration, the agency has taken significant steps to enforce consumer rights. “We have moved from rhetoric to action, actively addressing the challenges consumers face,” Salazar stated. Since June 2019, the agency has recovered a record $148.8 million, benefiting over 571,000 consumers. “This represents 77% of all recoveries in the agency’s history,” he added.

To further strengthen protections, the government is considering legal reforms. “Consumer protection is a key pillar in ensuring fair access to goods and services,” Salazar emphasized. He also noted that businesses must comply with transparency standards, stating that “over 99% of providers display clear pricing, but some still lack proper consumer service mechanisms.”

The government urged businesses to correct any shortcomings. “A satisfied population, with protected rights and trust in service providers, benefits everyone,” Salazar concluded.

On this occasion, the government reaffirmed its commitment to fair trade, price transparency, and consumer rights, emphasizing their importance in safeguarding the economy of Salvadoran families.