- Bukele won re-election with over 83% of the vote, despite constitutional prohibitions.
- During Bukele’s first term, gang violence was drastically reduced and many investments in social programs were made, now the economy will be the focus of his second term.
- Bukele’s administration faces opposition from gangs, the international community, and INGOs due to his severe measures against fundamental rights and perceived authoritarianism.

Why is Bukele’s heat level BLAZING?
Answer: After successfully reducing gang violence in El Salvador during his first term as president, Bukele won his second term with over 83% of votes in his favour.
On February 4, 2024, Bukele secured a second term as president of El Salvador until 2029, winning the elections with over 83% of the vote. Nevertheless, Bukele’s re-election has been severely criticised since re-election is forbidden by six different articles of the Constitution of El Salvador, namely articles 75.4, 88, 131.16, 152.1, 154 and 248. In order to avoid these prohibitions, he convinced the Legislative Assembly to nominate Claudia Rodríguez de Guevara, his secretary, and interim president during his six-month campaign leave.
His first term was marked by a significant reduction in national violence thanks to the Territorial Control Plan launched in June 2019. However, this came at a high price for the citizens of El Salvador who have seen many of their fundamental rights restricted.
His administration’s first strong measure has been the removal of the judges from the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice and the attorney general in 2021. Since the approval of the state of exception on March 27, 2022, Bukele’s administration has extended it 27 times, and it is still in force today.
Although this measure has allowed achieving 631 days without murders, it has also resulted in the detention of more than 80.500 people and the derogation of the following constitutional rights: freedom of association, the right to be informed of the reasons for your detention, the right not to self-incriminate, the right to legal assistance, the right to be brought before judicial authority within 72 hours of detention, and the right to the inviolability of correspondence and the prohibition of telecommunications interference.
Moreover, during Bukele’s first term, many laws were amended. For instance, the penalty for being a member of a gang has been increased to a maximum of 30 years in prison. Additionally, the conduct of preparing and reproducing messages, signs, names, or propaganda alluding to gangs has been criminalised by imposing a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison. The same penalty applies to those who use communication and information technologies, including radio, television, written or digital media, that reproduce or transmit messages or communications from the gangs.
Who is changing Bukele’s temperature?
Answer: Bukele is a polarising figure, admired by most citizens of El Salvador, neighbouring countries, and international investors, but heavily criticised by gang members, the international community, and INGOs.
In favour of Bukele’s administration are the majority of the citizens of El Salvador, who have experienced increased security because crime rates have been successfully reduced since 2019. Additionally, Bukele’s administration has invested in different social programs and infrastructure projects, which have improved living standards. These initiatives have addressed issues such as inadequate healthcare, lack of proper housing or poor education and have further boosted Bukele’s popularity.
The strong measures implemented against gangs have been also celebrated by Latin American countries. Neighbouring countries which are also affected by gang violence, such as Honduras, view Bukele’s policies as a potential model for reducing crime and improving regional stability.
The private sector and international investors also support Bukele’s administration. Despite the economy being the main focus of his second term, his first term saw the approval of different measures to foster investment, such as adopting Bitcoin as legal tender.
Nevertheless, Bukele faces significant opposition from several actors. The gangs, particularly Mara-18 and Mara Salvatrucha, are against his administration. They have been heavily targeted by Bukele’s policies, including mass incarcerations, derogation of prisoner’s basic rights and the establishment of a maximum-security prison, the Centro de Confinamiento del Terrorismo. This prison, inaugurated in 2023, exemplifies the inhumane treatment given to gang members: prisoners share cells among many, endure constant artificial light, lack mattresses and bed sheets, cannot use cutlery, and are denied visits and calls.
The international community has also been critical of Bukele’s leadership. For instance, the IACHR and the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Magistrates and Lawyers have expressed concern over his perceived authoritarianism and actions that undermine democratic institutions and the rule of law. Similarly, INGOs, such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have condemned his administration for alleged human rights violations, especially concerning the treatment of detainees and the suppression of political dissent.
Political opponents are also alarmed by Bukele’s re-election, having concerns over increasing authoritarian tendencies and the disappearance of the opposition.
What is driving Bukele?
Answer: Personal ambition and a desire for national transformation. His approach could bring significant benefits to El Salvador but also carries risks that could undermine his support.
Bukele aims to solidify his legacy as a transformative leader by modernising and developing El Salvador into a prosperous nation. He believes he can achieve this, as evidenced by his re-election speech where he claimed to have accomplished the “impossible“ in just five years. His motivations are further bolstered by substantial public support and an absence of significant limits to his power at the national level.
In his re-election speech, Bukele affirmed that his new administration will focus on economic improvement now that the country has achieved security.
In terms of potential gains, if his new policies lead to tangible economic improvements, he could maintain strong public support and increased legitimacy. His ambitious projects and reforms might also attract foreign investment and stimulate economic growth.
Bukele has been vocal against foreign intervention and criticism from the international community and INGOs. He positions his administration as resistant to external pressures, aiming to carve an independent path for El Salvador’s future.
However, Bukele faces increased scrutiny and opposition from both domestic and international entities. Additionally, there is a risk that his consolidation of power could lead to an erosion of democratic institutions and civil liberties, which could provoke backlash and diminish his support.
What does this mean for you?
Answer: As democracy backslides in El Salvador, a new governance model emerges with successful violence control and perhaps economic growth.
Bukele’s first administration has managed to drastically diminish gang violence. This achievement, while significant, came at a cost to fundamental rights and freedoms, raising concerns among various international organisations and INGOs about the administration’s increasingly authoritarian tendencies.
As Bukele’s new administration shifts its focus primarily to the economy, it has introduced innovative policies. El Salvador’s adoption of Bitcoin as legal tender and the planned creation of a “Bitcoin City” aimed at attracting international investors and fostering economic growth. If successful, Bukele’s economic strategies could serve as a pioneering model for other countries looking to integrate cryptocurrency into their economies.
However, the implications of Bukele’s re-election extend beyond economic innovation. The policies implemented and legislative reforms approved during his first term have sparked concerns about the future of democracy in El Salvador. Bukele’s consolidation of power, including his influence over the judiciary and the extension of presidential terms, suggests a potential shift towards authoritarianism. Yet, popular support for Bukele and El Salvador’s newfound peace has only increased.
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