‘World’s Coolest Dictator’ Bukele Promotes El Salvador as Free Speech Haven

El Salvador President Nayib Bukele highlighted his country’s commitment to free speech and safety in a recent social media post, indirectly referencing the arrest of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov in France. Bukele emphasized that El Salvador guarantees freedom from arrest, censorship, and asset seizure for exercising free speech, positioning the nation as a haven for individual rights. He also noted the absence of property tax, underscoring the country’s favorable conditions for residents and investors. In international comparisons, El Salvador ranks low for press freedom due to harassment and violence against journalists, and Bukele’s actions, such as dismissing Supreme Court judges and consolidating power, have been criticized for weakening democratic institutions.