President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador celebrated his re-election on Sunday, claiming a landslide victory with more than 85% of the vote.
The 42-year-old leader, who has been praised for his crackdown on gangs and corruption, said he was committed to making El Salvador a great country after the nation had overcome its previous challenges.
Bukele, a former mayor of the capital San Salvador, ran a slick campaign portraying himself as a ruthless crimefighter who had transformed the security situation in the Central American country.
El Salvador has gone from one of the most violent countries in the world to one of the safest in Latin America today, thanks to his tough measures against the MS-13 and the 18th Street gang, two of the most notorious criminal groups in the region.
His popularity has soared among the Salvadoran people, who have also appreciated his social media savvy and his unconventional style of governance.
He has often used Twitter to announce policies, fire officials, and communicate with his supporters. He has also described himself as “the world’s coolest dictator” and has clashed with the opposition, the media, and the judiciary.
However, his re-election bid itself has been controversial, as he is banned under the constitution from standing for a consecutive second term. But in 2021, the constitutional court – which is dominated by his supporters – allowed a president to stand again, provided he or she stands aside in the period before a second term. Bukele nominally stepped down as president several weeks ago to fulfill that requirement. He is to be sworn in in June.
Despite his overwhelming victory, Bukele faces some challenges ahead, such as reviving the economy, tackling the COVID-19 pandemic, and maintaining good relations with the United States, which has expressed concerns about his respect for democracy and human rights.
Some of his critics have accused him of eroding democratic institutions, abusing his power, and violating the separation of powers. Human rights groups have also denounced the “gradual replacement of gang violence with state violence” and the arbitrary arrests of thousands of people under his anti-gang drive.
Bukele has dismissed these allegations as part of a smear campaign by his enemies and has vowed to continue his work for the benefit of the Salvadoran people. He has also thanked his allies, such as China, Taiwan, and Israel, for their support and cooperation.
In his victory speech, Bukele said:
“We have made history. We have turned the page on the past and we are ready to start a new chapter of prosperity and peace for our country. Also we have shown the world that El Salvador is not a failed state, but a nation of hope and opportunity. have a lot of work to do, but we have the will and the vision to make it happen. Thank you, El Salvador. God bless you.”
