Bukele Celebrates Re-election Victory in El Salvador

El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele has claimed a resounding victory in the presidential election held on Sunday, February 4, 2024. According to preliminary results, Bukele secured more than 80% of the votes, far ahead of his rivals from the traditional parties. Bukele, who is known for his tough stance on crime and his unconventional style of governance, said he had made history by winning a second term in office.

Bukele’s Popularity Soars Amid Security Improvements

One of the main reasons for Bukele’s popularity is his success in reducing the violence and insecurity that plagued El Salvador for decades. The Central American nation, which has a population of about 6.5 million, was once considered one of the most dangerous countries in the world, with high rates of homicide, extortion, and kidnapping by the notorious gangs MS-13 and 18th Street.

Since taking office in 2019, Bukele has implemented a series of measures to crack down on the gangs, such as deploying the army and the police to the most affected areas, isolating the gang leaders in maximum-security prisons, and cutting off their communication channels. He also launched social programs to prevent young people from joining the gangs and to provide opportunities for those who want to leave them.

As a result of these actions, the homicide rate in El Salvador dropped from 51 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2018 to 20 per 100,000 in 2023, according to official data. Bukele has also claimed that his government has prevented more than 10,000 murders and saved more than $2 billion in security costs.

Many Salvadorans have praised Bukele for restoring peace and order in their communities and for improving their quality of life. They also appreciate his direct and informal communication style, which often involves using social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook to announce his decisions and interact with his followers.

Bukele Faces Criticism for Eroding Democratic Institutions

However, Bukele’s re-election bid has also sparked controversy and criticism from his opponents and some international observers, who accuse him of undermining the democratic institutions and the rule of law in El Salvador. They point out that Bukele has violated the constitution, which prohibits a president from seeking a consecutive second term, by obtaining a favorable ruling from the constitutional court, which is dominated by his allies.

They also claim that Bukele has abused his power by using the state of emergency declared in March 2022 to combat the gangs to arrest thousands of people without due process, to censor the media and the civil society, and to interfere with the other branches of government. They cite as an example the episode in February 2020, when Bukele entered the parliament with armed soldiers to pressure the lawmakers to approve a loan for his security plan.

Bukele has dismissed these accusations as part of a smear campaign orchestrated by the corrupt and elitist political establishment, which he says has failed to address the problems of the country and has lost touch with the people. He has also defended his actions as necessary and legitimate to protect the public interest and to fulfill his campaign promises.

Bukele’s Re-election Has Implications for the Region and the World

Bukele’s re-election victory has implications not only for El Salvador, but also for the region and the world. On the one hand, it shows the growing discontent and disillusionment of the voters with the traditional parties and the political system, which have been unable to meet their expectations and demands. On the other hand, it reflects the emergence of a new type of leader, who is charismatic, populist, and authoritarian, and who challenges the status quo and the norms of democracy.

Bukele’s re-election also affects the relations of El Salvador with its neighbors and its allies, especially the United States, which is the main source of trade, investment, and remittances for the country. Bukele has maintained a friendly and pragmatic relationship with the US, despite some differences over issues such as human rights, migration, and corruption. He has also expressed his interest in strengthening the ties with China, which he considers a strategic partner for development.

Bukele’s re-election poses both opportunities and challenges for the future of El Salvador and its role in the world. It remains to be seen whether Bukele will use his mandate and his popularity to consolidate his achievements and to address the pending issues, such as poverty, inequality, health, education, and environment, or whether he will continue to concentrate his power and to disregard the checks and balances of democracy.