Tesla Managing Director Elon Musk praised El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele’s Commitment to freedom of expression amid the controversial arrest of telegram Managing Director Pavel Durov in France.
What happened: In a recent X-Post, Bukele portrayed the Central American country as a country that protects civil liberties and does not imprison or censor anyone for exercising their right to freedom of expression.
His remarks referred to the arrest of Telegram founder Pavel Durov in France over the weekend.
Musk, who expressed shock and dismay at the arrest, welcomed Bukele’s promise of freedom of expression, calling it “fantastic.”
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Why it is important: El Salvador has made headlines under President Bukele for its groundbreaking introduction of Bitcoin BTC/USDwhich was introduced as legal tender in the country in 2021.
This change in strategy was part of a broader economic strategy aimed at harnessing the potential of cryptocurrency for financial inclusion and boosting economic growth in the country.
But while the adoption of Bitcoin in the country is notable, the associated claims of ensuring freedom of speech remain questionable.
El Salvador ranked 133rd out of 180 countries in the 2024 World Press Freedom Index, falling 18 places from the previous year.
Reporters Without Borders, The organization that publishes these annual reports states on its website: “Since taking office in June 2019, President Nayib Bukele has attacked and threatened journalists critical of the government.”
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