A group of Democratic senators has introduced a new bill that could impose sanctions on El Salvador’s leadership over its Bitcoin holdings and alleged human rights abuses.
The legislation, titled the “El Salvador Accountability Act of 2025” (S. 2058), was brought before the US Senate by Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), alongside Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Alex Padilla (D-CA).
The bill is calling for the US to cut ties with President Nayib Bukele’s government, which became the first in the world to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender in 2021. Liberal senators claim Bitcoin in the country is being used in corruption, sanction evasion, and human rights violations.
Democrats mandate a detailed US government report
Under the provisions of “S. 2058,” the US Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary of the Treasury, would be required to submit a report within 90 days of the bill’s enactment. The report must be released to appropriate congressional committees and question the Salvadoran government’s use of crypto.
The report will analyze whether President Bukele and his officials have used digital assets “for gross corruption, graft, and evading US laws.” It would also examine the total amount of funds the government has spent purchasing Bitcoin, the exchanges used, wallet addresses, and the individuals who control these accounts.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA the Dems are just salty… https://t.co/O6CLtZuV46
— Nayib Bukele (@nayibbukele) July 8, 2025
Since 2021, Bukele’s government has aggressively accumulated digital assets, reportedly buying one Bitcoin per day and amassing a treasury of over 6,200 BTC.
More queries will be made into the use of Bitcoin to evade international financial restrictions. The report must include an assessment of crypto being employed as a “vector to evade financial sanctions imposed on other entities,” through anonymous wallets.
Other officials listed include the Vice President, Minister of Foreign Relations, Minister of Defense, Minister of Economy, and Minister of Finance.
The sanctions would apply if there is credible evidence showing any of them were involved in suppressing civil liberties or aiding in illicit financial activities.
One of the legal concerns raised by lawmakers is the government’s use of a “state of exception,” a law that allows for the temporary suspension of certain civil rights. According to the bill, such provisions have allegedly been misused to crack down on political dissent and civil society.
US aid and political support to El Salvador under scrutiny
In an interview with Fox News back in April, Democrat Representative Jamie Raskin (D-MD) said he was “frustrated” over continued American aid to El Salvador. Raskin questioned the Salvadoran government’s refusal to return Kilmar Garcia, a US citizen who was imprisoned in El Salvador.
Kilmar Abrego Garcia was brought back to the United States from El Salvador on June 6, 2025, after being mistakenly deported in mid‑March.
Raskin described the arrangement between the US and El Salvador as “dubious,” noting that Bukele has been receiving $6 million from America under a repatriation agreement. According to Raskin, this financial support implies legal authority, which Bukele allegedly refused to exercise by keeping Garcia in detention.
“You know, we should be talking about cutting off aid to El Salvador right now,” Raskin said. “The whole idea that Bukele doesn’t have any power to return an American prisoner… is ridiculous. He’s our legal agent.”
On July 7, a federal judge rejected the Justice Department’s attempt to dismiss Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s lawsuit over his mistaken deportation to El Salvador, calling one of the motions “meritless.”
“You made three arguments, defendants, and none are availing… meritless,” US District Judge Paula Xinis told Justice Department attorney Bridget O’Hickey.
The Salvadoran government has not formally addressed the detailed findings required by the US Senate’s bill, nor has it confirmed if it will cooperate with any investigations into its government’s crypto use.
