A group of Democratic senators in the United States has initiated a bill proposing sanctions against El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele and his associates. The document, titled “El Salvador Accountability Act of 2025,” mandates the Trump administration to impose restrictions on the current leadership of the country.
This is reported by Business • Media
Allegations of Human Rights Violations and Cryptocurrency Abuses
American senators point to probable instances of human rights violations by the Salvadoran authorities, as well as abuses of digital assets, particularly Bitcoin. Among the main sponsors of the bill are Chris Van Hollen, Tim Kaine, and Alex Padilla. They are convinced that the Salvadoran leadership is using cryptocurrencies for corruption, evading sanctions, and misappropriating budget funds.
The bill proposes a range of restrictive measures: asset freezes, visa restrictions, and suspension of financial aid to the country. Furthermore, the document requires an annual report on the effectiveness of the sanctions imposed.
Details of the Bill and Bukele’s Response
The bill states that during the state of emergency in El Salvador, internationally recognized human rights were violated, and government institutions may have used American taxpayers’ funds for illegal purposes. Senators demand the publication of a list of individuals involved in the violations within 90 days of the law’s enactment.
In addition to sanctions, the initiative calls for the U.S. State Department to prepare a separate report on El Salvador’s cryptocurrency strategy. This report should detail expenditures on Bitcoin, sources of transactions, and individuals with access to digital assets, as well as an assessment of the risks of circumventing sanctions controls.
“This initiative stems from frustration and interference in El Salvador’s internal affairs,” said President Bukele, dismissing the allegations as politically motivated.
Recently, President Bukele has intensified cooperation with Donald Trump, particularly in the areas of cryptocurrency and crime prevention. It is also known that Trump’s advisor, Bo Hines, has held talks with Bukele regarding a potential partnership in the field of digital assets. In April 2025, the President of El Salvador visited the White House. Despite criticism from Democrats, the push for cryptocurrency adoption and combating gangs remains a key element of El Salvador’s alignment with U.S. Republicans.
It was previously reported that the International Monetary Fund approved a $120 million loan to El Salvador, but without permission for new Bitcoin purchases.