President Nayib Bukele of El-Savaldo has enacted a new law requiring mandatory DNA testing to register a child at birth, aiming to verify biological parentage from the outset.
According to Bukele, the measure “is not a law against women, but against lies,” saying it seeks to prevent cases where men unknowingly raise children who are not biologically theirs.
The Genetic Verification System Law stipulates that all tests must be conducted in certified laboratories, and the state will cover the costs for low-income families.
The law has sparked intense public debate. Supporters see it as a step toward family transparency and paternal rights, while critics argue it represents state intrusion into private life and raises ethical and social concerns.
With this move, El Salvador becomes the first country in Latin America to implement a national, mandatory genetic verification system for civil registration.
