El Salvador’s Political Crackdown Signals a Dangerous Turn Away from Democracy

El Salvador is witnessing an alarming exodus reminiscent of its brutal civil war era, as more than 100 political dissidents—including journalists, lawyers, and human rights advocates—are forced into exile to escape President Nayib Bukele's sweeping repression. This wave of flight is not just a regional crisis; it echoes the dangerous consequences when a government prioritizes authoritarian power over democratic principles and individual freedoms. When Political Dissent Means Exile or Prison From police raids targeting homes to arrests without due process, Bukele’s administration has weaponized the legal system to silence dissenting voices. Laws like the newly enacted “foreign agents” legislation—mirroring similar...