El Salvador’s Bukele Secures Re-election as President in Landslide Victory, According to Reuters

By Nelson Renteria and Sarah Kinosian

SAN SALVADOR – President Nayib Bukele achieved a significant victory in El Salvador’s elections on Sunday, as voters prioritized his aggressive approach against gang violence over concerns about democratic erosion.

Provisional results released on Monday indicated Bukele received 83% of the votes counted so far, with claims from him that he had exceeded 85%. Before official numbers were available, he declared himself the victor.

His supporters, dressed in cyan blue and waving flags, gathered in San Salvador’s central square to celebrate what Bukele described as a “referendum” on his administration. His New Ideas party is expected to dominate the 60-seat legislative assembly, further consolidating Bukele’s power as one of the most influential leaders in modern El Salvador.

Standing with his wife on the balcony of the National Palace, Bukele addressed his supporters, stating, “All together the opposition was pulverized.” He emphasized the transformation of El Salvador from a once perilous nation to a safer one, promising more advancements in the coming years.

The electoral success of New Ideas will likely grant Bukele the ability to make substantial changes to the constitution, raising fears among his critics that he may seek to eliminate term limits.

Bukele remains incredibly popular, largely due to his security policy, which has suspended civil rights in order to detain over 75,000 individuals without charges. This harsh approach has led to a dramatic reduction in murder rates and significantly altered life in a country previously known for its violence.

Despite the apparent success, some analysts warn that the mass incarceration of approximately 1% of the population is not a sustainable solution in the long run. Bukele acknowledged during a press conference that his party needs continual support to sustain its anti-gang efforts and reshape the nation.

Few anticipated a different election outcome, as polls indicated widespread support for Bukele’s aggressive campaign against crime, which has driven many to migrate to the United States.

Guadalupe Guillen, a 55-year-old shopkeeper, expressed her gratitude for the changed circumstances, stating, “We are celebrating, thanking him, thanking God, for getting us out of this gang problem.” She noted that she no longer pays extensive extortion fees to gangs, contrary to her past experience.

While some Western nations point to potential authoritarianism under Bukele’s leadership, supporters like Guillen argued that democracy remained intact, as evidenced by the electoral turnout in favor of Bukele.

The two major traditional parties, FMLN and ARENA, were expected to receive minimal support as voters rejected their decades-long rule characterized by instability and corruption.

Bukele, known for his confrontational style on social media, rose to prominence in 2019 by pledging to eradicate gangs and invigorate the economy. His party utilized its legislative supermajority to further consolidate control over governmental institutions, including the courts.

In a controversial move, he secured permission to run for a second term despite constitutional prohibitions against re-election. Critics worry that his ambition parallels that of Nicaragua’s President Daniel Ortega, potentially aiming for lifelong rule.

Businessman Josue Galdamez remarked that the public prioritizes security over constitutional norms, affirming widespread support for Bukele’s policies.

When questioned about potential constitutional reforms for indefinite re-election, Bukele avoided giving a clear answer but indicated that he did not foresee a need for such changes.

Responses from foreign entities, including the Chinese Embassy in El Salvador, congratulated Bukele on his election win. Meanwhile, human rights groups continued to express concerns over the state of democracy in the country.

As Bukele embarks on his second term, economic challenges loom large, as El Salvador has struggled with sluggish growth during his leadership, alongside rising rates of poverty.

Under his administration, extreme poverty has doubled and private investment has declined, with limited progress on ambitious projects like Bitcoin City, a proposed tax-free crypto haven powered by geothermal energy. The International Monetary Fund has highlighted the country’s precarious fiscal situation amid ongoing negotiations for a bailout.