A video of Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele delivering a powerful speech in Costa Rica last November has gone viral after he shared it on his official X account. The speech was part of a ceremony in which Bukele was honored for his achievements in improving public safety in El Salvador—transformations that have drawn attention across the region.
In the clip, Bukele challenges what he describes as an imbalanced global conversation around human rights. “The most important human right is the right to life,” he said, arguing that this right must take precedence over others, especially when innocent citizens live under constant threat.
Reflecting on past administrations, Bukele described a cycle of violence where gang members were arrested and released within days—often retaliating against police and civilians. He shared the story of a woman whose gang-affiliated nephews cut off her hands, asking why no one defended her rights.
“Nobody said anything. But when we arrested those responsible, people suddenly remembered the rights of the criminals,” Bukele stated. He criticized international organizations and politicians for, in his view, focusing more on the rights of perpetrators than on those of victims.
The message has reignited debate on security, justice, and human rights—not just in El Salvador, but among Salvadoran communities abroad, especially in the United States.