Life in El Salvador
El Salvador’s Legislative Assembly Approves Foreign Agents Law, Imposes 30% Tax on NGO Donations
The Legislative Assembly of El Salvador has approved a controversial Foreign Agents Law that imposes a 30% tax on foreign donations to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and gives them 90 days to register with the government. The law, which was passed … Read more
InSightCrime: El Salvador’s Anti-Gang Crackdown Now Has Political Opponents in Its Crosshairs
Authorities in El Salvador have arrested a prominent human rights defender amid growing concerns over the government’s repressive anti-crime tactics, suggesting policies once used to attack organized crime are being repurposed to target political opponents. On May 18, El Salvador’s … Read more
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, … Read more
The Central Reserve Bank of El Salvador Seizes Over 3,700 Fake Banknotes in 2024
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador — The Central Reserve Bank of El Salvador (BCR) seized more than 3,700 counterfeit banknotes in 2024, registering a drop in fake currency circulation but highlighting continued vulnerabilities in lower-denomination bills, particularly $20 notes. According to … Read more
New Ideas Deputy Ernesto Castro: Bukele’s Right-Hand Man in El Salvador’s Legislature
Few names have gained prominence as quickly and decisively as Ernesto Castro in El Salvador’s shifting political landscape. He may not always be front-page news, but he undeniably has become a central figure in shaping the future of Salvadoran politics. … Read more
Permanent Table for Labor Justice (MPJL) Pushes for 25% Minimum Wage Increase in El Salvador
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador — The Permanent Table for Labor Justice (MPJL) submitted a proposal last Thursday to increase the minimum wage by at least 25%. The Permanent Roundtable for Labor Justice (MPJL) resubmitted its proposal to the National Minimum … Read more
Central America Sees Spike in Cocaine Seizures in 2024 as Traffickers Shift Drug Routes
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador — In 2024, Central America recorded unprecedented cocaine seizures; however, vast amounts of the drug continued to reach global consumer markets, highlighting the resilience and adaptability of Latin America’s trafficking networks. Despite multiton interdictions from Honduras … Read more