President Nayib Bukele highlighted at the 79th UN General Assembly the transformation of El Salvador towards greater security and peace. He stated that the country has liberated its population from a dark past and emphasized the importance of maintaining that freedom in a global context that is becoming increasingly insecure.
Bukele said that every nation must make decisions for the benefit of its people, recognizing that freedom is not a gift from others, but a right that must be claimed. He exemplified the growing insecurity in some cities around the world, and the contrast with El Salvador, where even basic products have required security measures that have been effective.
The President said that the concept of a “free world” is in decline, as many nations have abandoned the principles that guarantee freedom, such as equality before the law and respect for private property. This loss of principles, he warned, leads to an inevitable loss of freedom.
In contrast, Bukele pointed out that El Salvador has improved its security in the midst of an increasingly pessimistic global environment. In the last five years, the country has experienced a renaissance, giving the streets back to its people and encouraging tourism.
He concluded his speech by reflecting, “Today, the world looks at the example of El Salvador and wonders how a nation can rise up in such a short time? But perhaps that is not the question they should be asking. Maybe they should be asking another question. How is it that the world is falling so fast?”