Background and Current Term
Nayib Bukele, the current president of El Salvador, assumed office in 2019 and is currently serving his second term. His second term has been criticized as unconstitutional by opponents.
Statement on Potential Extended Stay in Power
In a recent YouTube interview with Spanish YouTuber TheGrefg, Bukele expressed his openness to remaining in power for an additional decade. He stated, “If it were up to me, I would stay for another ten years.”
Initially, Bukele had agreed with his wife to leave politics by 2029. El Salvador is expected to hold its next presidential elections in 2027 to decide the leader until 2033.
Eligibility for a Third Term
Bukele will be eligible to run for a third term following the passage of a constitutional reform by the ruling party’s Congress in July, allowing for indefinite presidential reelection, extending the term of office from five to six years, and eliminating runoff elections.
Legal Challenges and Controversies
National and international legal experts have questioned the legality of Bukele’s attempts to extend his term.
Bukele won his second term early in 2024, defying a constitutional ban. A court ruling enabled his candidacy.
Popularity and Criticisms
The 44-year-old publicist, who enjoys one of the highest approval ratings globally, attributes his success to a hardline approach against crime, which has significantly reduced homicide rates.
However, critics argue that this approach has come at the expense of civil liberties, with reports of arbitrary detentions, torture, and even deaths in custody.
Bukele, who once described himself on Twitter as “the coolest dictator in the world,” has maintained that he does not intend to establish a dictatorship in El Salvador, leaving the decision on his continued rule up to the Salvadoran people.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is Nayib Bukele’s current term status? Nayib Bukele is currently serving his second term as the president of El Salvador, a term critics consider unconstitutional.
- What did Bukele say about staying in power for another decade? In a YouTube interview, Bukele expressed his openness to remaining in power for an additional ten years if it were up to him.
- When are El Salvador’s next presidential elections? El Salvador is expected to hold its next presidential elections in 2027.
- Why is Bukele eligible for a third term? The ruling party’s Congress passed a constitutional reform allowing indefinite presidential reelection, extending the term of office from five to six years and eliminating runoff elections.
- What are the legal challenges faced by Bukele’s attempts to extend his term? National and international legal experts have questioned the legality of Bukele’s attempts to extend his term, with a court ruling enabling his candidacy despite a constitutional ban.
- Why is Bukele popular and what are the criticisms against him? Bukele enjoys high approval ratings due to his hardline approach against crime, which has reduced homicide rates. However, critics argue that this approach has compromised civil liberties, with reports of arbitrary detentions, torture, and deaths in custody.
