President Nayib Bukele stated that certain “journalists” and non-governmental organizations attempted to present El Salvador as a human rights violator before international forums, including the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, the United Nations, and the United States Congress.
According to the president, these efforts triggered strong public backlash in El Salvador, particularly after the arguments and testimonies became widely circulated. Bukele argued that the reaction reflected growing skepticism among Salvadorans toward narratives that, in his view, misrepresent the country’s security strategy.
Referring to a recent hearing in the U.S. Congress, Bukele said the interventions by some participants “exposed” their position. He pointed to exchanges in which speakers emphasized legal protections for individuals linked to criminal groups such as MS-13, regardless of the severity of alleged crimes.
“See clearly how they defend terrorists. See how they say that, even though they have committed horrific crimes, they are there to defend their rights. I’m not saying this—they said it themselves in the U.S. Congress,” Bukele stated.
The president maintains that such positions effectively amount to a defense of criminal structures, while his administration’s policies are aimed at protecting citizens and consolidating security gains. Human rights organizations, for their part, have argued that their role is to ensure due process and legal safeguards.
The debate highlights ongoing international scrutiny of El Salvador’s anti-gang strategy, as well as contrasting perspectives on the balance between public security and human rights.