El Salvador National Palace.
May 2025 news in El Salvador centers on cost-of-living debates, government policy shifts, and daily realities shaping how Salvadorans adapt to economic pressures, wages, and housing demands.
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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…
Discover El Tunco Beach. El Tunco Beach is one of El Salvador’s most popular coastal destinations and a favorite among surfers. Known for its powerful waves, rocky shoreline, and iconic rock formation, this lively beach town offers much more than surfing. Enjoy colorful sunsets, beachfront restaurants, local shops, and a relaxed atmosphere along El Salvador’s beautiful Pacific coast…
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…
A Weekend in Juayúa. Looking for a colorful town with food, history, and mountain scenery? Juayúa is one of Sonsonate’s most inviting destinations. This colonial town offers a relaxed atmosphere, traditional architecture, nearby waterfalls, and plenty of local flavors. Its location along the Ruta de las Flores also makes Juayúa a perfect base for exploring western El Salvador…
CID Gallup Survey: ARENA, FMLN, and VAMOS Struggle to Gain Support Among Salvadoran Voters. Once powerful pillars of Salvadoran politics, the ARENA and FMLN parties now face overwhelming voter rejection, according to a new CID Gallup poll suggesting their possible political extinction…
Synthetic Drugs in Latin America: A Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Top Concern. Synthetic drugs continue to pose the greatest threat to U.S. public health and safety, the Drug Enforcement Administration warned in its latest National Drug Threat Assessment, pointing to changing criminal tactics, fluctuating purity levels, and growing ties between narcotics and other illicit markets…
President Bukele Meets Nuevas Ideas Leaders as Party Vows Firmness in Governance. President Nayib Bukele held a late-night meeting Wednesday with lawmakers and top members of his ruling Nuevas Ideas party, a day after the Legislative Assembly approved the contentious Foreign Agents Law…
President Bukele Faces Backlash Over Foreign Agents Law Proposal from NGOs and Opposition. Local and international NGOs quickly denounced President Bukele’s proposed Foreign Agents Law, warning it could silence dissent and stifle civil society. Many labeled the measure authoritarian on social media…
The Central Reserve Bank of El Salvador Seizes Over 3,700 Fake Banknotes in 2024. The Central Reserve Bank of El Salvador (BCR) confiscated more than 3,700 fake bills in 2024, indicating a decline in counterfeiting yet exposing ongoing weaknesses in lower-value denominations, notably the $20 bill…
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…
Permanent Table for Labor Justice (MPJL) Pushes for 25% Minimum Wage Increase in El Salvador. The Permanent Table for Labor Justice (MPJL) submitted a proposal last Thursday to increase the minimum wage by at least 25%…
Vice President Felix Ulloa: El Salvador Seeks to Reduce the Margin of Error of the State of Exception. Salvadoran Vice President, Félix Ulloa, emphasized efforts to improve the arrest protocols under the state of emergency, which has been in place for over three years…
Association of Journalists of El Salvador APES Reports 789 Attacks on Journalists in 2024. In 2024, El Salvador’s press faced an alarming rise in hostility, with nearly 800 cases of censorship, threats, and violence—making it one of the bleakest years for journalistic freedom since the civil war…
Reporters Without Borders: Press Freedom Declines in El Salvador as Attacks on Journalists Continue. Systematic attacks on independent media persist in El Salvador, deepening a decline in press freedom under President Nayib Bukele’s administration, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said Thursday.
Deputy Claudia Ortiz: Looking to Build a Political Alternative to Bukele and His Political Party. Claudia Ortiz is a deputy in the Salvadoran Legislative Assembly from the VAMOS political party. She is a central figure in Salvadoran politics, especially among those opposing Nayib Bukele.
Explore the City of Santa Ana in Western El Salvador. Santa Ana is a great starting point for discovering western El Salvador. Spend the morning exploring historic landmarks, plan an adventure to nearby volcanoes or lakes, and return to the city for good food and a comfortable stay. With culture, nature, shopping, and modern services close at hand, Santa Ana makes exploring this beautiful part of the country easy…
ISA World Longboard Championship. France and the United States dominated the 2025 ISA World Longboard Championship, held at El Sunzal Beach as part of the Surf City El Salvador ISA World Longboard Championship from April 25 to May 1. Surfers from both nations secured top honors, confirming their continued excellence and progress in competitive longboarding…
What Does It Cost to Live in El Salvador? Living in El Salvador comes with different expenses depending on your city, household, and lifestyle. Food, rent, electricity, transportation, healthcare, and other essentials all shape the monthly budget. Explore the cost of living in El Salvador and get a clearer picture of how much money you may need to cover everyday life in the country…
El Salvador Coffee: A Taste of Tradition. El Salvador coffee is more than a morning drink—it’s part of the country’s history and culture. Grown in volcanic soil and high-altitude regions, Salvadoran coffee is known for its rich flavors and distinctive aromas. From small farms to local cafés, every cup offers a taste of the land, traditions, and hardworking communities behind one of El Salvador’s treasured crops…
El Salvador Receives Over 225 Deported Gang Members from the U.S. In a quiet yet heavily guarded early morning operation on Sunday, El Salvador received over 225 deported gang members from the United States—a move that underscores growing international cooperation in the fight against transnational crime…
A Cool Escape at El Pital. Looking for mountains, fresh air, and cooler weather? El Pital offers all three. At 2,730 meters above sea level, it’s the highest point in El Salvador. Visitors come for hiking, camping, beautiful scenery, and the peaceful mountain atmosphere. The journey into the Chalatenango highlands also reveals a greener, cooler side of the country worth exploring for a weekend getaway…
Discover Panchimalco Near San Salvador. Just outside San Salvador, Panchimalco offers a colorful mix of colonial charm, Indigenous heritage, traditions, and local culture. Visitors can explore its historic church, walk through the town, discover traditional art, and experience celebrations that preserve its identity. Its convenient location near the capital makes Panchimalco an interesting cultural stop for travelers exploring El Salvador beyond the usual attractions…