Nayib Bukele, the incumbent president of El Salvador, is expected to win the upcoming presidential election on February 4, 2024. Despite the failure of his Bitcoin experiment, Bukele remains popular among Salvadorans due to his efforts to improve safety and security in the country. Under his rule, the homicide rate has decreased and citizens feel safer on the streets. However, this sense of security has come at the cost of civil rights, with thousands of people being detained and subjected to alleged human rights abuses. Critics also point to the erosion of democratic checks and balances since Bukele took office, including his attempt to run for a second consecutive term in violation of constitutional law.
Bukele’s rollback of democratic norms has been evident since his party won a supermajority in the legislature. He purged the Supreme Court of justices and removed the attorney general, allowing him to reinterpret the constitution and run for re-election. Despite constitutional bans on a second consecutive term, Bukele went on leave from presidential duties in a move seen as a stunt to circumvent the rule. His administration also referred to a “hidden article” in the constitution, but international legal experts have refuted this claim.
El Salvador has a history of violence, with physical violence being a part of daily life for many Salvadorans. Previous presidents attempted to negotiate with gangs while cracking down on them, but their efforts were unsuccessful. Bukele’s safety agenda, including his “territorial control plan,” did little to diminish gang violence. In response to a spike in gang-related murders, Bukele declared a “state of emergency” that has led to the suspension of constitutional rights and the imprisonment of tens of thousands of people. Human rights abuses, including torture and inadequate conditions, have been reported in prisons.
Despite the concerns about democratic backsliding and human rights abuses, many Salvadorans feel safer under Bukele’s rule and prioritize security over democratic principles. However, international recognition of the election may be compromised due to constitutional and procedural irregularities. Bukele’s efforts to dismantle democratic safeguards have already undermined the legitimacy of the regime. A fresh mandate from the electorate could push Bukele further down an authoritarian path.
