President Bukele Faces Backlash Over Foreign Agents Law Proposal from NGOs and Opposition

Local and international NGOs swiftly condemned President Bukele’s proposed Foreign Agents Law, warning it could suppress dissent and restrict civil society. Many posted statements on social media calling the measure authoritarian.

Human rights organizations outside El Salvador echoed domestic concerns, labeling the Proposal a threat to democratic norms. Their posts highlighted fears of surveillance, censorship, and shrinking space for civic participation.

On May 13, President Bukele announced on social media that he had decided to submit the Foreign Agents Bill to the Legislative Assembly, which would include a 30% tax on all the donations local NGOs receive.

Bukele proposed the law after police dispersed a protest near his home. He blamed NGOs and announced the measure on social media.

“Yesterday we witnessed how humble people were manipulated by self-proclaimed leftist groups and globalist NGOs, whose only real goal is to attack the government,” wrote Bukele in his X social media profile.

In 2021, Bukele introduced a similar bill to the Salvadoran Congress, but it was never brought to a vote and was eventually archived.

Juan Pappier of Human Rights Watch warned that the law mirrors repressive measures in countries like Nicaragua, Venezuela, Russia, Belarus, and China used to silence dissent.

“Like Ortega in Nicaragua, Maduro in Venezuela, and Putin in Russia, Bukele proposes a “foreign agents” law to attack civil society organizations and independent media in El Salvador.” Juan Pappier, Human Rights Watch.

“Extremely serious: President Bukele announces the Foreign Agents Law that would impose a 30% tax on NGOs. This is in retaliation for their support of social protests. This measure threatens freedom of association and the right to defend human rights,” stated Ana Amancay Piquer, Director for the Americas, Amnesty International.

Juanita Goebertus, Director of the Americas Division of Human Rights Watch, said, “Under the pretext of protecting the interests of the ‘people,’ Bukele proposes a Foreign Agents Law that seeks to limit the work of civil society.”

Local NGOs including Cristosal, FESPAD, IDHUCA, and others have also voiced strong opposition to the proposed law.

Salvadoran authorities argue that at least 11 countries, including the United States, have foreign agent laws in place to protect their national sovereignty.

El Diario de Hoy Newspaper reported that President Bukele’s proposed Foreign Agents Law would affect about 8,000 NGOs.