• President Bukele ordered the arrest of five bus company heads for allegedly sabotaging the free bus fare policy.
• The free bus fare policy was implemented due to highway construction in San Salvador, causing widespread chaos.
• Bukele faces criticism for undermining democratic institutions and human rights, alongside international attention for detaining Venezuelan deportees.

El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele ordered the arrest of five heads of bus companies after they allegedly defied his order to provide free transport for a week due to highway construction in San Salvador. The government stated they would cover 100% of the bus companies' usual daily income. The arrests were made under accusations of 'breach of duty, denial of assistance, and extortion,' sparking controversy and raising concerns about Bukele's leadership style.

• What: President Nayib Bukele ordered the arrest of five bus company heads for not complying with his order for free bus fares following highway construction in San Salvador.
• Who: Nayib Bukele (President of El Salvador), five heads of bus companies, National Transportation Committee, Luis Regalado, Lucio Vázquez, Venezuelan government, Lawyers contracted by the Venezuelan government.
• When: Order issued on Monday, May 6, 2025; free bus fare policy for one week; state of emergency declared in 2022.
• Where: San Salvador, El Salvador.

President Bukele's actions highlight ongoing concerns about his governance style and human rights record. His immediate response to the bus companies' alleged defiance, ordering their arrest, demonstrates a tendency towards authoritarianism and a disregard for due process. The situation is further complicated by existing criticisms regarding the detention of Venezuelan deportees and the ongoing 'state of emergency' in El Salvador. This event further fuels the debate regarding the balance between security measures and democratic principles under Bukele's leadership.

"The National Civil Police should proceed with the arrest of the owners of the routes involved. No one is above the law."

"We are not saying that we're not going to continue giving free service,"

President Bukele's controversial leadership in El Salvador is marked by a stark contrast between his domestic popularity and international criticism. While he has achieved a significant reduction in gang violence through his tough-on-crime policies, these measures have come at the cost of democratic backsliding and human rights violations, including arbitrary detentions, torture, and due process violations. Bukele's consolidation of power, disregard for constitutional norms, and strained relationship with international bodies raise concerns about the long-term sustainability of his approach and its implications for El Salvador's democratic future. The situation is further complicated by the potential for increased international scrutiny and the ethical dilemmas posed by agreements such as housing U.S. criminals in Salvadoran prisons. The central question remains whether the perceived gains in security outweigh the erosion of democratic institutions and human rights, and whether Bukele's methods offer a sustainable path forward for El Salvador.