Salvadoran President Orders Arrests Over Free Rides

El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele has ordered the arrest of several heads of bus companies for non-compliance with a recently implemented policy offering free rides to the public. The directive, announced earlier this week, waived all bus fares for a seven-day period, a measure intended to mitigate disruption caused by ongoing government construction on a major highway in San Salvador. While the stated aim – easing commuter burdens during infrastructure improvements – is understandable, the heavy-handed response of ordering arrests feels disproportionate and raises concerns about presidential overreach. A more collaborative approach, involving dialogue and potentially financial compensation for lost revenue, would likely have been more effective and avoided escalating tensions with a vital transportation sector. The arrests signal a pattern of Bukele prioritizing decisive action, even if it skirts established legal and business norms, and could deter future cooperation from private businesses crucial to public services. The Associated Press has published images related to the ongoing situation.