El Salvador has undergone a seismic shift in its political landscape, as President Nayib Bukele solidified his grip on power by orchestrating a sweeping constitutional reform that abolishes presidential term limits and extends the executive’s mandate. This unprecedented move, spearheaded by the party-controlled Congress, now paves the way for Bukele to seek indefinite re-election, a development that has ignited both widespread celebration among his supporters and fierce condemnation from opposition factions and human rights advocates.
The reform, enacted through a fast-tracked legislative process, specifically allows for re-election “without reservation,” effectively removing all previous constitutional barriers to continuous presidential terms. Furthermore, it prolongs the presidential tenure from five to six years and eliminates the need for a second round of voting in future elections, simplifying the path to power for a leading candidate. These amendments underscore a significant restructuring of the nation’s democratic framework, granting the incumbent an unparalleled degree of control.
Despite strong international criticism and concerns over democratic backsliding, President Bukele, aged 44, enjoys immense popularity within El Salvador, largely attributed to his aggressive and highly successful campaign against criminal gangs. This relentless crackdown has dramatically reduced violence across the country to historic lows, earning him fervent public approval and a mandate that saw him re-elected in 2024 with a staggering 85 percent of the vote, further cementing his near-total command over state institutions.
However, the opposition views these constitutional changes as a decisive blow to the nation’s democratic principles. Lawmakers like Marcela Villatoro have openly lamented, holding signs that declared “Democracy died today” during the legislative session. Critics vociferously argue that these reforms effectively transform the government into a “dictatorship,” dismantling crucial checks and balances designed to prevent the concentration of power and safeguard civil liberties.
The timing of these reforms, approved just as the country entered a week-long national holiday, also drew sharp criticism, with opponents suggesting it was a deliberate tactic to minimize public dissent. This political maneuver follows closely on the heels of a troubling wave of arrests targeting human rights defenders and government critics, leading to a significant exodus of journalists and humanitarian workers from the country, raising alarm bells among international observers.
In response to mounting global scrutiny and accusations of authoritarianism, President Bukele has publicly dismissed the “dictator” label, asserting that he remains unconcerned by such epithets. During a speech marking the commencement of his second term, he brushed aside international condemnation regarding the detention of humanitarian activists, demonstrating a defiant stance against external pressures and a clear prioritization of his domestic agenda.
The controversy surrounding Bukele’s political trajectory is not new. His 2024 re-election, which preceded these latest reforms, had already sparked considerable debate, with critics contending that it violated the existing constitution. They argued that his re-election was only made possible by a contentious ruling from judges widely perceived as loyal to his administration, underscoring a pattern of legal interpretations that facilitate his political ambitions.
This latest constitutional overhaul in El Salvador represents a pivotal moment in the nation’s history, signaling a profound shift in its governance structure and raising fundamental questions about the future of its democratic institutions and the protection of its citizens’ human rights under consolidated power.
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