In his official Message to the Nation, President Nayib Bukele delivered a powerful reflection on El Salvador’s transformation, denouncing past governments and affirming the country’s continued fight against crime, corruption, and foreign manipulation.
President Bukele declared that the fear experienced by Salvadorans for decades was exploited by former administrations, who never prioritized the safety of the population. “The El Salvador of today is unrecognizable compared to the nation we inherited — a nation plagued by terror, gang control, and political puppeteers operating from the shadows,” he stated.
Addressing the global perception shift, Bukele emphasized that El Salvador has become a symbol of hope. “Six years ago, the world had lost hope in us. They said violence was a part of who we were. Now, by God’s grace, we’ve done the impossible. We’ve become an inspiration for other nations.”
He defended the country’s security strategy, which has resulted in the imprisonment of over 80,000 gang members, stating, “To forgive the criminal is to condemn the victim. Those who ask us to release them want to bring back the chaos we’ve already left behind.”
Bukele also pushed back against foreign interference and globalist agendas, asserting that they seek to keep countries like El Salvador in poverty. “Imagine someone from another country telling you your voice doesn’t matter in your own homeland,” he said. He referenced the recently passed Foreign Agents Law, designed to ensure foreign funds are genuinely used for public benefit.
In response to critics, the President addressed accusations of authoritarianism: “They say we’ve lost democracy. But before, democracy was choosing between the bad and the worse. Now they call me a dictator — if that means peace for our people, I’ll wear it.”
He cited achievements like a historic agreement with the International Monetary Fund, the expansion of direct-to-consumer food markets (AgroMercados), and efforts to reduce costs for families. “Our transformation is real. But there are those who refuse to accept change, who cling to a manipulated reality.”
Bukele openly criticized opposition media and NGOs, accusing them of shielding criminals and promoting lies. “Some believe working for an NGO grants immunity. Others think journalism is a license to break the law. We cannot fight corruption while the corrupt are protected by political narratives.”
Concluding his address, President Bukele urged Salvadorans to value the progress made, despite imperfections. “No country must resign itself to eternal suffering. With faith, sacrifice, and unity, we will build a beautiful future — not for the approval of others, but for our people.”
“Let no one tell us we are too small to dream big,” he said. “With God on our side, there’s no obstacle we cannot overcome.”