El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele opted out of this year’s United Nations General Assembly, describing the event as “pointless” and a “waste of time.”
Bukele announced his decision on social media, sharing a video of his speech from last year’s session for those interested in his previous remarks.
Since taking office in 2019, Bukele has routinely attended the annual gathering in New York, making this year’s absence a notable departure from tradition.
In a post on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Bukele wrote: “I skipped the United Nations General Assembly this time, it felt pointless this year. But you can always watch last year’s speech if you feel like wasting time the way I did.”
A two-minute video attached to the post captures his 2024 speech to the assembly, where he delivered a stark warning about the erosion of liberty in democratic societies.
He described a grim landscape of urban decay, marked by rampant gang violence, drug abuse, and organized crime.
He also accused governments of coercing social media platforms into silencing dissent, portraying a world where freedom of expression is increasingly under siege.
“Today, the free world is no longer free. This is no exaggeration. Tragically, we can see undeniable evidence of this decline every day,” he said in the 2024 video.
“The new threats of war continue to grow. When the free world became free, it was thanks to its principles of freedom of expression, equality under the law, unity, and respect for private property. But once a nation abandons the principles that make it free, it is only a matter of time before it loses its freedom completely.
“The consequences are playing out before our eyes. We can see them. In some cities, in the so-called first world, stores need to lock their wares behind glass doors to prevent theft.
“It is not limited to expensive items; simple things like chocolate bars or razors are locked away. In other cities, the streets no longer belong to the people; they have fallen prey to homelessness, gangs, organised crime, and drugs.”
Bukele’s absence comes amid his increasingly confrontational stance toward international institutions and human rights organizations.
His government has been operating under a state of exception since 2022, allowing mass arrests without warrants in a sweeping crackdown on gangs.
While this policy has led to over 89,000 detentions and a dramatic drop in violent crime, it has also drawn criticism for alleged abuses and wrongful imprisonments.
Despite international scrutiny, Bukele remains highly popular at home. He won reelection in February 2025 with over 80% of the vote, despite El Salvador’s constitution previously barring immediate reelection.
His party later passed reforms allowing indefinite presidential terms, a move seen by critics as entrenching his power.
Bukele’s tough-on-crime policies have earned praise from U.S. President Donald Trump, who cited El Salvador’s approach as a model during his own UNGA speech. Bukele responded with gratitude, highlighting their cooperation on migration and gang enforcement.
