El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele reacted strongly to a recent campaign by the UK government and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) warning citizens about the consequences of sharing content that incites violence or hatred online.
The CPS released a video on X stating, “Think before you post! Content that incites violence or hatred isn’t just harmful – it can be illegal. The CPS takes online violence seriously and will prosecute when the legal test is met. Remind those close to you to share responsibly or face the consequences.” The video further emphasized that individuals can be prosecuted not only for creating such material but also for sharing it. The official GOV.UK account reposted the campaign with the message: “Think before you post.”
In response, President Bukele wrote on X, “Never again will the West lecture us on democracy, human rights, or free speech.” His words echoed themes from his address to the United Nations General Assembly in 2024, where he warned of challenges to liberties worldwide. “We cannot prevent the dark times that are coming, but what we can do is become a small refuge from the storm that approaches, and maintain hope,” Bukele said in that speech.
He also stressed that El Salvador has chosen a different path regarding freedom of expression. “In El Salvador we do not imprison our opposition. We do not censor opinions. We do not confiscate the property of those who think differently. We do not arrest people for expressing their ideas. In El Salvador, your freedom of speech, as well as your private property, will always be protected,” the president declared at the UN.
Bukele’s latest remarks highlight the contrast he seeks to draw between El Salvador’s policies and measures taken in Western democracies, reinforcing his position that free speech should not be restricted by government prosecutions of online content.