El Salvador

Congress has approved a law that would end the country's seven-year-old ban on mining for metals: president Nayib Bukele pushed to lift the ban, imposed in 2017 due to environmental concerns, claiming the country has vast gold deposits

El Salvador's new cybersecurity and data protection laws, establishing a state cybersecurity agency, risk limiting press freedom and privacy by enabling government censorship through a broad "right to be forgotten" clause, warns Human Rights Watch

Diplomatic relations with 16 new countries will be established in 2025, including opening an embassy in Egypt; the plan aims to boost trade, attract foreign investment, and enhance international cooperation on security

The government approved a 30-day extension of the state of exception as part of President Nayib Bukele’s strategy against criminal gangs; the measure, which passed with 57 out of 60 votes, aims to continue restoring public order across El Salvador

El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele has donated Bitcoin to fund 1.000 new schools in Honduras, aligning with his Bitcoin initiative to also fund philanthropic purposes

Human rights groups are calling for genetic of missing people, believed to have been buried in clandestine graves by gang members; around 51 sites have been found that potentially contain victims' remains; government is taking action and began excavating

The IMF has urged El Salvador to reduce its reliance on Bitcoin and strengthen its regulation of digital assets, warning of financial stability risks, although President Bukele remains committed to Bitcoin's long-term economic benefits

After two and a half years of a state of emergency in El Salvador to combat gang violence, President Nayib Bukele has proposed the possibility of lifting the measure, citing significant reductions in crime