Introduction and Background on Nayib Bukele
Nayib Bukele, the President of El Salvador since 2019, has gained immense popularity in his country through his firm stance against street gangs. However, critics argue that Bukele is paving the way for a potential lifetime leadership. Several events have raised concerns about his intentions to remain in power indefinitely.
Red Flags and Key Events
- Bukele’s armed entry into the Legislative Assembly during his first year in office.
- The removal and replacement of top judges and the attorney general by Bukele loyalists a year later.
- Bukele’s push for a consecutive presidential term following a constitutional reinterpretation by new judges.
- A lesser-known legislator from Bukele’s ruling party, Nuevas Ideas, proposed a constitutional amendment for indefinite presidential reelection.
- Rapid passage of the amendment with minimal debate or scrutiny, becoming law within hours.
Constitutional Changes and Their Implications
The constitutional amendment extended the presidential term to six years, abolished runoff elections, and advanced the next presidential election to 2027. These changes leave little room for Bukele’s fragmented opposition to find a viable candidate.
Intensifying Repression
Bukele’s popularity stems from his hardline tactics against gangs, which have significantly reduced their influence in the country. Combined with his effective crackdown on opponents, it’s almost certain that Bukele will remain in power until at least 2033, and possibly much longer.
- Human rights groups accuse Bukele of widespread abuses and corruption.
- Numerous activists and journalists have fled the country following the arrest and imprisonment of two prominent critics.
International Reactions and Domestic Silence
In the United States, Bukele’s constitutional amendment received little attention. He is considered President Trump’s strongest ally in Latin America, bolstered by a March agreement to house 238 Venezuelan deportees in a maximum-security prison.
The U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, did not respond to requests for comment on the constitutional reform.
Gina Romero, the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to peaceful assembly and association, stated that the U.S. government’s silence is protecting Bukele’s regime. She emphasized that Bukele controls the courts, Congress, media, and narrative, which she considers autocratic.
Domestic Reactions and Critics’ Exodus
In El Salvador, reactions to the constitutional changes have been muted. The country’s democracy is relatively new, established by the 1992 peace accords ending a brutal 12-year civil war. Many Salvadorans view democracy as a failure due to the power gangs accumulated during that period.
- News of the changes appeared on popular newspapers, but there were no protests.
- Most people were preoccupied with an upcoming vacation week, with government offices closed.
- Open critics of Bukele, including a hundred journalists and human rights activists, have fled the country.
- The leading human rights group in El Salvador suspended operations in July.
Key Questions and Answers
- Q: What changes did Bukele implement through the constitutional amendment?
A: The amendment extended the presidential term to six years, abolished runoff elections, and moved the next presidential election to 2027. - Q: How have human rights groups responded to Bukele’s actions?
A: Human rights organizations have accused Bukele of widespread abuses and corruption, leading to the exodus of activists and journalists from El Salvador. - Q: What is the international community’s stance on Bukele’s constitutional changes?
A: The U.S. government has remained largely silent on the matter, while UN Special Rapporteur Gina Romero criticized this silence as protection for Bukele’s regime. - Q: How have Salvadorans reacted to these changes?
A: Reactions in El Salvador have been muted, with little to no protests and most people focused on upcoming vacations. Many critics have left the country, weakening the opposition.
