A sharp diplomatic exchange has ignited between Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele and U.S. Congressman Joaquin Castro, following accusations regarding press freedom and government transparency. The tension escalated after Castro publicly criticized the Salvadoran administration, claiming that “Nayib Bukele has long targeted journalists with spyware and intimidated them into silence or exile.” Castro specifically pointed to recent actions against the outlet El Faro, describing the situation as a “descent into authoritarianism.”
President Bukele wasted no time in questioning the motivations behind the Congressman’s stance, issuing a concise but pointed rebuttal: “Who paid for your trip to Brazil?” This question points toward a August 2023 congressional delegation (CODEL) where Castro traveled to Brazil, Chile, and Colombia to meet with various leftist government officials and civil society groups.
Public financial disclosures have since brought the funding of that mission into the spotlight. Reports indicate that the Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR) played a significant role in bankrolling the trip. Crucially, the CEPR is a recipient of substantial grant funding from the Foundation to Promote Open Society (FPOC), an integral part of the philanthropic network managed by George Soros.
The revelation of these financial ties has led to claims of a coordinated effort involving international NGOs and foreign politicians. For the Bukele administration, the link to the Soros network serves as evidence that the criticisms leveled by figures like Castro and outlets like El Faro are not impartial observations, but rather part of a funded political agenda.
As the debate over El Salvador’s internal policies continues, the focus in Washington has shifted toward the transparency of sponsored travel. This clash highlights the deep-seated friction between Bukele’s government and U.S. lawmakers, with the influence of private billionaire funding on foreign policy now at the center of the conversation.