El Salvador opens path for Bukele to stay in power indefinitely. Why critics aren't surprised
Watchdogs and critics of the self-described 'world's coolest dictator' said they've seen this coming for years, watching Bukele's administration slowly chip away at democratic institutions, attack opponents and consolidate power in the president's hands.
Bukele, who regularly posts streams of tongue-in-cheek remarks on social media, remained notably silent Friday. His government didn't respond to multiple requests for comment.
'It's not surprising. But that doesn't mean it's not severe,' said Claudia Ortiz, one of the country's few remaining opposition lawmakers. 'The implication of this is more concentration of power, more risk of abuse of the rights of Salvadorans ... and the complete dismantling of all democratic checks and balances.'
Here's what happened overnight in El Salvador
On Thursday night, Bukele's New Ideas party and its allies approved changes to El Salvador's constitution, which were jammed through Congress by the party's supermajority.
The changes will:
The vote passed with 57 in favor and three opposed.
Damian Merlo, a U.S. lobbyist and consultant hired by Bukele's administration, defended the changes, noting that many European countries don't have term limits, and said the move only gives Bukele the option of reelection, not an automatic extension of his mandate.
'It's up to the people to decide who the leader will be,' Merlo said. 'It's been made very clear by the electorate they are very happy with the president and his political party — and this move represents the will of the people of El Salvador.'
Why watchdogs aren't surprised
Ortiz, the opposition congresswoman, called the defense 'absurd,' and said that Merlo was citing countries — Germany and France — with democratic systems of government answering to the countries' parliaments. In El Salvador, power is now entirely concentrated in the hands of Bukele, she said.
Bukele, 44, was first elected president in 2019 after founding the New Ideas party, casting aside the country's traditional parties thoroughly discredited by corruption and lack of results. Bukele's highly controlled messaging of beating back the country's gangs and rooting out corruption have gained traction in El Salvador, especially as homicide rates have sharply dropped.
But critics say many of the moves he has justified as tackling corruption and violence have actually whittled away at the country's democracy.
Over the years, his attacks on opponents and critics have gradually escalated. In recent months, things have come to a head as Bukele has grown emboldened by his new alliance with U.S. President Donald Trump. A number of high profile arrests and a slew of other actions have forced more than 100 members of civil society — lawyers, activists and journalists — to flee their country as political exiles in the span of months.
A look back at some of the actions he's taken
Intensifying his crackdown in 2025
This year, watchdogs have warned that Bukele has ramped up his crackdown on dissent, emboldened by his new alliance with Trump.
What critics saying
The recent constitutional reform has fueled a new wave of criticism by civil society in the Central American nation, with leaders saying that Bukele's government has finally done away with one of its last democratic norms.
Roxana Cardona, a lawyer and spokeswoman for the Movement of Social Justice and Citizen Control, said 'a democratic state has been transformed into an autocracy.' Cardona was among those to provide legal representation for Venezuelans detained in El Salvador and other Salvadoran youth accused of being gang members.
'Today, democracy has died. A technocracy has been born. Today, we live in a dictatorship,' she said.
Others, like human rights lawyer Jayme Magaña, said the idea of alternating power, crucial in a country that still has decades of civil war and dictatorships of the past simmering in its recent memory, has been broken. Magaña said she worried for the future.
'The more changes are made to the system of government, the more we see the state's repression of the Salvadoran population intensifying,' she said.
——
Janetsky reported from Mexico City.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNN
6 minutes ago
- CNN
US sides with El Salvador on eliminating presidential term limits, prompting democracy debate
The US State Department has voiced rare support for El Salvador's decision to abolish presidential term limits, paving the way for President Nayib Bukele to seek indefinite reelection. Critics argue the controversial move undermines democratic stability. El Salvador's legislature, controlled by Bukele's Nuevas Ideas party, approved the constitutional amendment swiftly in a vote late last week, sparking immediate backlash domestically and internationally. The amendment clears the way for presidents to serve multiple consecutive terms. Now, the US is publicly backing the Central American nation's leadership. 'El Salvador's Legislative Assembly was democratically elected to advance the interests and policies of their constituents,' a State Department spokesperson said in a statement. 'Their decision to make constitutional changes is their own. It is up to them to decide how their country should be governed.' US President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have previously praised Bukele's effectiveness in reducing crime and have cited El Salvador as a model for regional security cooperation. Rubio and Bukele established a relationship long before he became Trump's top diplomat. After Rubio visited El Salvador as a senator in 2023, he celebrated Bukele's leadership and crackdown on criminal gangs, calling on him to make El Salvador's democratic institutions strong to attract more foreign investment. When the Trump administration began deporting migrants from the United States to the notorious Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) in El Salvador – many of them alleged Venezuelan gang members – Rubio served as a key point person. He traveled to El Salvador early on in his tenure as secretary of state and personally worked with Bukele and senior Salvadoran officials on the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, court filings show. Rubio also engaged directly with Bukele to negotiate a complex prisoner swap - 250 Venezuelans deported from the US to El Salvador in exchange for 10 US nationals held in Venezuela. Following the legislature's vote, Salvadoran opposition lawmaker, Marcela Villatoro, warned, 'Democracy has died in El Salvador today,' emphasizing concerns about consolidated power and diminished political participation. Bukele took office in 2019 for a five-year term. In 2021, El Salvador's Supreme Court – composed of judges appointed by Bukele's party-controlled Congress – ruled that immediate reelection was permissible, despite being previously unconstitutional. At the time, the ruling drew sharp criticism from rights groups, opposition leaders and even the US embassy under the Biden administration, marking a stark contrast to the current US position. In August 2024, Bukele told Time Magazine he would not seek a third term in office. International reactions have been cautious, with the European Union stating it 'takes note' of El Salvador's constitutional reforms and emphasizing future cooperation will be guided by 'democratic governance, transparency, respect for the rule of law and human rights,' according to the Europa Press. Juanita Goebertus, Americas director for Human Rights Watch, sharply criticized the move, posting: 'Bukele's party is pushing an express constitutional reform to allow indefinite presidential re-election. They are following the same path as Venezuela. It begins with a leader using his popularity to concentrate power and ends in dictatorship.' The US State Department spokesperson pushed back on that sentiment, stating: 'We reject the comparison of El Salvador's democratically based and constitutionally sound legislative process with illegitimate dictatorial regimes elsewhere in our region.' The US State Department's position represents a significant shift from its historical stance, where it has typically criticized prolonged presidential terms across Latin America, raising concerns among observers about the long-term implications for democracy in the region. In El Salvador, many citizens vocally support Bukele's constitutional reforms, viewing them as essential for continued stability and security. Still, some observers question whether the immediate security gains might mask deeper risks to El Salvador's democracy. Bukele defended the decision vigorously on social media, posting on X: '90% of developed countries allow the indefinite re-election of their head of government … and when a small, poor country like El Salvador tries to do the same, suddenly it's the end of democracy.' Damian Merlo, an adviser to Bukele, further reinforced this position, telling CNN: 'The constitutional change reflects the will of the Salvadoran people, who overwhelmingly support continuity in the country's development and progress.' Merlo added, 'Permitting reelection does not guarantee extended terms — President Bukele, and/or anyone running for President will still need to campaign, win votes, and earn the people's trust all over again.' Despite widespread criticism from human rights groups and democracy advocates, Bukele maintains overwhelming popularity amongst Salvadorans, largely due to his aggressive crackdown on street gangs, reducing crime dramatically. CNN previously reported that Bukele's tough security measures have resulted in historically low homicide rates – according to the Salvadoran government – helping to boost his approval ratings consistently above 90%. Bukele appears unbothered by the criticism. In a June speech marking the first year of his second term, he said he 'didn't care' about accusations of authoritarianism. 'I'd rather be called a dictator than see Salvadorans murdered in the streets,' Bukele said to cheers. 'When I check my phone, I'd rather read 'dictator, dictator, dictator' in the headlines than see 'murder, murder, murder.'' Yet, critics like Amnesty International warn of serious risks to democratic foundations, a divide echoed on social media. Martina Navratilova, a former professional tennis player, posted on X: 'And we are next,' echoing broader concerns about democratic erosion in the US. Trump has previously made headlines on the topic of term limits. In 2018, Trump notably praised Chinese President Xi Jinping's removal of term restrictions, stating: 'He's now president for life. … I think it's great. Maybe we'll have to give that a shot someday,' though his comments were largely perceived as rhetorical and drew criticism at the time.
CNN
35 minutes ago
- CNN
US sides with El Salvador on eliminating presidential term limits, prompting democracy debate
South America Donald Trump Federal agenciesFacebookTweetLink Follow The US State Department has voiced rare support for El Salvador's decision to abolish presidential term limits, paving the way for President Nayib Bukele to seek indefinite reelection. Critics argue the controversial move undermines democratic stability. El Salvador's legislature, controlled by Bukele's Nuevas Ideas party, approved the constitutional amendment swiftly in a vote late last week, sparking immediate backlash domestically and internationally. The amendment clears the way for presidents to serve multiple consecutive terms. Now, the US is publicly backing the Central American nation's leadership. 'El Salvador's Legislative Assembly was democratically elected to advance the interests and policies of their constituents,' a State Department spokesperson said in a statement. 'Their decision to make constitutional changes is their own. It is up to them to decide how their country should be governed.' US President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have previously praised Bukele's effectiveness in reducing crime and have cited El Salvador as a model for regional security cooperation. Rubio and Bukele established a relationship long before he became Trump's top diplomat. After Rubio visited El Salvador as a senator in 2023, he celebrated Bukele's leadership and crackdown on criminal gangs, calling on him to make El Salvador's democratic institutions strong to attract more foreign investment. When the Trump administration began deporting migrants from the United States to the notorious Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) in El Salvador – many of them alleged Venezuelan gang members – Rubio served as a key point person. He traveled to El Salvador early on in his tenure as secretary of state and personally worked with Bukele and senior Salvadoran officials on the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, court filings show. Rubio also engaged directly with Bukele to negotiate a complex prisoner swap - 250 Venezuelans deported from the US to El Salvador in exchange for 10 US nationals held in Venezuela. Following the legislature's vote, Salvadoran opposition lawmaker, Marcela Villatoro, warned, 'Democracy has died in El Salvador today,' emphasizing concerns about consolidated power and diminished political participation. Bukele took office in 2019 for a five-year term. In 2021, El Salvador's Supreme Court – composed of judges appointed by Bukele's party-controlled Congress – ruled that immediate reelection was permissible, despite being previously unconstitutional. At the time, the ruling drew sharp criticism from rights groups, opposition leaders and even the US embassy under the Biden administration, marking a stark contrast to the current US position. In August 2024, Bukele told Time Magazine he would not seek a third term in office. International reactions have been cautious, with the European Union stating it 'takes note' of El Salvador's constitutional reforms and emphasizing future cooperation will be guided by 'democratic governance, transparency, respect for the rule of law and human rights,' according to the Europa Press. Juanita Goebertus, Americas director for Human Rights Watch, sharply criticized the move, posting: 'Bukele's party is pushing an express constitutional reform to allow indefinite presidential re-election. They are following the same path as Venezuela. It begins with a leader using his popularity to concentrate power and ends in dictatorship.' The US State Department spokesperson pushed back on that sentiment, stating: 'We reject the comparison of El Salvador's democratically based and constitutionally sound legislative process with illegitimate dictatorial regimes elsewhere in our region.' The US State Department's position represents a significant shift from its historical stance, where it has typically criticized prolonged presidential terms across Latin America, raising concerns among observers about the long-term implications for democracy in the region. In El Salvador, many citizens vocally support Bukele's constitutional reforms, viewing them as essential for continued stability and security. Still, some observers question whether the immediate security gains might mask deeper risks to El Salvador's democracy. Bukele defended the decision vigorously on social media, posting on X: '90% of developed countries allow the indefinite re-election of their head of government … and when a small, poor country like El Salvador tries to do the same, suddenly it's the end of democracy.' Damian Merlo, an adviser to Bukele, further reinforced this position, telling CNN: 'The constitutional change reflects the will of the Salvadoran people, who overwhelmingly support continuity in the country's development and progress.' Merlo added, 'Permitting reelection does not guarantee extended terms — President Bukele, and/or anyone running for President will still need to campaign, win votes, and earn the people's trust all over again.' Despite widespread criticism from human rights groups and democracy advocates, Bukele maintains overwhelming popularity amongst Salvadorans, largely due to his aggressive crackdown on street gangs, reducing crime dramatically. CNN previously reported that Bukele's tough security measures have resulted in historically low homicide rates – according to the Salvadoran government – helping to boost his approval ratings consistently above 90%. Bukele appears unbothered by the criticism. In a June speech marking the first year of his second term, he said he 'didn't care' about accusations of authoritarianism. 'I'd rather be called a dictator than see Salvadorans murdered in the streets,' Bukele said to cheers. 'When I check my phone, I'd rather read 'dictator, dictator, dictator' in the headlines than see 'murder, murder, murder.'' Yet, critics like Amnesty International warn of serious risks to democratic foundations, a divide echoed on social media. Martina Navratilova, a former professional tennis player, posted on X: 'And we are next,' echoing broader concerns about democratic erosion in the US. Trump has previously made headlines on the topic of term limits. In 2018, Trump notably praised Chinese President Xi Jinping's removal of term restrictions, stating: 'He's now president for life. … I think it's great. Maybe we'll have to give that a shot someday,' though his comments were largely perceived as rhetorical and drew criticism at the time.
Fox News
3 hours ago
- Fox News
Obama labels Texas redistricting push 'a power grab that undermines our democracy'
Former President Barack Obama, accused Texas Republicans — who are pushing to pass redistricting legislation in the Lone Star State legislature — of engaging in gerrymandering, which involves redrawing district lines to benefit a particular political party. Texas Republicans trying to pass redistricting legislation during a special session have been stymied by state House Democratic lawmakers fleeing the state in order to deny the quorum required for votes. "We can't lose focus on what matters – right now, Republicans in Texas are trying to gerrymander district lines to unfairly win five seats in next year's midterm elections. This is a power grab that undermines our democracy," Obama declared in social media posts. "Dems only call it 'gerrymandering' when it's in a Republican state," GOP Sen. Mike Lee of Utah remarked when retweeting Obama's post on X. "When it happens in Illinois, they call it 'democracy.'" Obama made the comments on social media platforms when sharing posts by All On The Line, an effort which he has previously indicated that he helped former Attorney General Eric Holder launch. "Three years ago, I helped @EricHolder launch @AllOnTheLine, a people-powered campaign to fight gerrymandering and advocate for fair redistricting. All On The Line is driven by the core belief that voters should choose their representatives—not the other way around," Obama declared in a 2022 post on X. Holder served as attorney general during much of Obama's White House tenure. Obama's comments in that 2022 tweet echoed remarks he made during his final State of the Union Address, which he delivered in January of 2016. During that speech, Obama opined that the nation needed to "end the practice of drawing our congressional districts so that politicians can pick their voters, and not the other way around."
