President Nayib Bukele Secures Overwhelming Victory in El Salvador Elections
President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador has emerged victorious in the country’s elections, despite concerns about democratic erosion. Voters rewarded Bukele for his aggressive crackdown on gangs, which has significantly improved security in the Central American nation. Thousands of supporters gathered in San Salvador’s central square to celebrate his re-election, which Bukele referred to as a “referendum” on his government. Although official results were yet to be announced, Bukele declared himself the winner, claiming to have received more than 85% of the vote. Provisional results showed him winning 83% support with 31% of the ballots counted.
Bukele’s New Ideas party is expected to secure nearly all of the 60 seats in the legislative body, further consolidating his power and making him the most influential leader in El Salvador’s modern history. In a speech to his supporters from the balcony of the National Palace, Bukele stated that El Salvador had transformed from being the most unsafe country to the safest, and promised even more progress in the next five years.
The electoral success of New Ideas also means that Bukele will have unprecedented power to reshape El Salvador’s constitution, raising concerns among his opponents about the potential removal of term limits. Bukele’s security strategy, which involved the mass arrest of over 75,000 Salvadorans without charges, has been widely popular. It led to a significant decrease in murder rates and fundamentally changed the country, which was once considered one of the most dangerous in the world. However, some analysts have expressed doubts about the long-term sustainability of such mass incarcerations.
Prior to the election results, Bukele held a press conference where he emphasized the need for continued support to maintain the fight against gangs and continue reshaping El Salvador. Polls had already indicated that voters wanted to reward Bukele for his success in combating crime, which had made life unbearable in the country and fueled migration to the United States.
The elections dealt a blow to the traditional parties, FMLN and ARENA, which had previously rotated power between them. Both parties were expected to receive single-digit support as voters once again rejected their rule marked by violence and corruption. Bukele’s victory was seen as a sign that democracy was not at risk, as the people had overwhelmingly voted for him.
Moving forward, Bukele’s biggest challenge in his second term is likely to be the economy, which has been the slowest growing in Central America during his tenure. More than a quarter of Salvadorans live in poverty, and extreme poverty has doubled while private investment has declined. Bukele’s plans for Bitcoin City, a tax-free crypto haven powered by geothermal energy, have also faced setbacks. The International Monetary Fund (IMF), currently negotiating a $1.3 billion bailout with El Salvador, has described the country’s fiscal situation as “fragile.”
Despite concerns about democratic erosion and economic challenges, Bukele’s overwhelming victory in the elections solidifies his position as the most powerful leader in El Salvador’s history. His supporters believe that his strong stance against gangs and his commitment to improving security outweigh any potential drawbacks. As Bukele begins his second term, all eyes will be on how he tackles the country’s economic woes and fulfills his promises of progress and transformation.
