El Salvador's Bold Vision: Culture Ministry Layoffs and Controversial Reforms
El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele announced the dismissal of 300 culture ministry employees for promoting conflicting agendas. Emphasizing cost-saving and alignment with government vision, Bukele aims to address the nation's issues with controversial policies. His tenure is marked by decisive actions, including security reforms and strict anti-abortion laws, drawing both support and criticism.
![El Salvador's Bold Vision: Culture Ministry Layoffs and Controversial Reforms](https://devdiscourse.blob.core.windows.net/devnews/05_02_2024_12_42_19_6674269.jpg)
El Salvador President Nayib Bukele said on Thursday that the country's culture ministry is set to fire 300 employees who are promoting agendas that are "incompatible" with the government's vision.
"Furthermore, we will save public funds in the process," Bukele said on X. "Bitter medicine." Bukele took office at the start of June for a second term after winning a landslide re-election, pledging to cure the "illnesses" of the Central American country by
prescribing "medicine " to fix the economy, following what described as a cure for the "cancer of the gangs" during his first term.
Bukele, a former marketing executive, garnered massive popularity for transforming security in a country that was once one of the world's most dangerous, but mass trials
, a mega prison
and suspended civil rights have drawn criticism from human rights groups. His popularity has been reinforced by a powerful media machine that includes teams of internet trolls who flood social networks with
government propaganda. Since beginning his second term, Bukele has made several changes in his cabinet, including the appointment of Raul Castillo, a former teacher, as culture minister last week in order to "promote patriotic and family values."
The small Central American country maintains some of the world's harshest anti-abortion laws
. "El Salvador is pro-life, pro-traditional family and the 2030 agenda has no place here," ruling party lawmaker Alexia Rivas said on X, referring to the United Nation's development plan which includes provisions for a range of human rights.
"This is what the people asked for, this is the vision of our president, and this is the path that officials must follow," Rivas said. Earlier this month, the culture ministry canceled a play by drag artists after receiving complaints from local conservative and religious groups.
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
ALSO READ
Pakistan: Human rights activist highlights failure of bodies formed by government on missing persons, calls it "eyewash"
Global Health and Human Rights: Updates and Key Issues
EU Urges China to Address Human Rights Violations
EU raises human rights concerns with China in 39th Dialogue Session
Vatican Financial Scandal: Human Rights Complaint Filed Against Pope Francis