“World’s coolest dictator” wins election in El Salvador

Nayib Bukele, the president of El Salvador, has secured a resounding victory in the elections. Voters seemed to have overlooked concerns about democratic erosion to commend him for his robust crackdown on gangs, bringing about a significant improvement in the country’s security situation.

Bukele and his party take over control in Parliament

In San Salvador’s central square, thousands of Bukele’s supporters, dressed in cyan blue and waving flags, gathered to celebrate his re-election, which the 42-year-old leader referred to as a “referendum” on his government. Bukele claimed victory even before the official results were announced, stating that he had garnered over 85% of the vote. Provisional results indicated an 83% support for Bukele with 31% of the ballots counted.

The New Ideas party, led by Bukele, is anticipated to secure nearly all 60 seats in the legislative body, further solidifying its control over the country and granting Bukele, the most influential leader in modern El Salvador history, increased influence.

Standing on the balcony of the National Palace with his wife, Bukele declared, “All together the opposition was pulverized. El Salvador went from being the most unsafe country to the safest. Now, in these next five years, wait to see what we are going to do.”

The electoral success of New Ideas empowers Bukele with unprecedented authority, enabling him to potentially overhaul El Salvador’s constitution, a move that raises concerns among opponents about the removal of term limits.

Bukele pledged to enhance national security

Bukele, widely popular, campaigned on the success of his security strategy, which involved the suspension of civil liberties to arrest over 75,000 Salvadorans without charges. While this led to a significant drop in nationwide murder rates and transformed the once highly dangerous country of 6.3 million people, some analysts caution that the mass incarceration of 1% of the population may not be sustainable in the long term.

During the campaign, Bukele addressed the media, emphasizing the need for widespread support for his party to sustain its anti-gang efforts and continue reshaping El Salvador. Bukele likened the gangs to cancer, expressing the desire for the country to now recover and become the best version of itself.

The election outcome was widely anticipated, with polls indicating that most voters wanted to commend Bukele for dismantling criminal organizations that had made life unbearable in El Salvador and contributed to waves of migration to the United States.

Candidates from the FMLN and Arena parties, which had alternated in power until 2019, were projected to receive minimal support, underscoring the continued rejection of traditional parties associated with violence and corruption.

Critics fear a potential lifelong rule

Bukele, known for his confrontational style with foreign leaders and critics on social media, assumed power in 2019, pledging to eliminate gang violence and revitalize the stagnant economy. Utilizing his party’s legislative supermajority, he appointed loyalists to the courts and restructured state institutions, consolidating control. Bukele also introduced bitcoin as legal tender, drawing criticism from the IMF.

Despite constitutional limitations on re-election, the electoral tribunal permitted Bukele to run for a second term. Concerns linger about his intentions, with opponents fearing a potential lifelong rule, similar to Nicaragua’s President Daniel Ortega.

In response to questions about constitutional reforms for indefinite re-election, Bukele suggested it might not be necessary, leaving uncertainty about a potential third term.

Critics argue that El Salvador’s democracy is under threat, but Bukele seems unfazed, even playfully referring to himself as the “world’s coolest dictator.”

Looking ahead, Bukele faces economic challenges, as El Salvador’s economy has been the slowest-growing in Central America during his tenure. Poverty rates have risen, and private investment has declined, posing hurdles for Bukele’s ambitious plans, such as Bitcoin City. The IMF, currently negotiating a $1.3 billion bailout with El Salvador, has described the country’s fiscal situation as “fragile” in late 2023.