Background on Nayib Bukele and His Impact
Nayib Bukele, the President of El Salvador since 2022, governs under an exception regime aimed at combating gangs, according to the government. However, this regime has been criticized by human rights organizations for allowing arrests without judicial warrants.
Reelection and Popularity
On July 31, the Salvadoran Congress, controlled by Bukele, approved indefinite reelection to ensure the continuity of his mandate. His popularity stems from his so-called “war” against gangs.
Deterioration of Democratic Indicators
Marcela Ríos, the regional director of IDEA International, stated that El Salvador is experiencing “the fastest deterioration” in democratic indicators among Latin American and Caribbean countries over the past decade. Ríos, a former Chilean Justice Minister, presented this regional chapter of a global report in Panama based on the Swedish capital’s findings.
Key Findings of the Regional Report
The report examines 27 countries, focusing on press freedom, political participation, the rule of law, and social equality.
- Liberties and Rule of Law: El Salvador has witnessed “a sharp decline in liberties” and a deterioration of the rule of law and judicial independence.
- Reelection to Consolidate Authoritarian Regimes: The report highlights how indefinite reelection has been used to solidify authoritarian regimes across various countries.
- Human Rights Violations: El Salvador is among the most severe cases of losing judicial independence, alongside Afghanistan, Chad, Myanmar, and Tunisia. The report also notes common occurrences of torture, forced disappearances, custody deaths, and police harassment.
- Regional Democratic Improvements: Brazil and Colombia have seen significant democratic improvements, both in Latin America and globally.
Additional Concerns in El Salvador
Ríos pointed out that Nicaragua and Venezuela have long been authoritarian regimes, while Haiti lacks the basic requirements for a democratic system due to an overall collapse of institutions.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the main concern regarding El Salvador’s democracy? The rapid deterioration of democratic indicators, including press freedom, rule of law, and human rights.
- Who is Nayib Bukele, and why is he relevant? Nayib Bukele is the President of El Salvador since 2022, governing under an exception regime aimed at combating gangs. His popularity stems from his so-called “war” against gangs.
- What does the report say about indefinite reelection? The report highlights how indefinite reelection has been used to solidify authoritarian regimes across various countries, including El Salvador.
- What are some human rights concerns in El Salvador? The report notes common occurrences of torture, forced disappearances, custody deaths, and police harassment in El Salvador.
- Which countries have shown democratic improvements? Brazil and Colombia have seen significant democratic improvements, both in Latin America and globally.
