El Salvador election is won by “world coolest dictator” Nayib Bukele once again

El Salvador’s elections saw President Nayib Bukele win handily, with people disregarding worries about the country’s democracy eroding in favor of his strict anti-gang policies, which have dramatically increased safety in the country.

Thousands of Bukele supporters, dressed in cyan blue and waving flags, gathered in San Salvador’s major plaza to celebrate his reelection in a colorful show of solidarity.The 42-year-old president called the outcome of the election a “referendum” on his leadership.
With almost all 60 seats in the legislature expected to be won by Bukele’s New Ideas party, the party will be able to further solidify its hold on power and increase Bukele’s influence, making him the most powerful politician in El Salvador’s modern history.
Bukele and his spouse were standing on the balcony of the National Palace when he said, “The opposition was crushed as a whole.” “El Salvador went from being the most unsafe (country) to the safest,” he said with confidence. Now, watch to see what we do over the next five years.”
a life-long rule?
The election victory of New Ideas means that Bukele will have unrivaled power, which may allow him to change El Salvador’s constitution. His opponents are concerned that this possibility might result in the removal of presidential term limits.
In an interview with media, Bukele said, “I didn’t think a constitutional reform would be necessary,” when asked whether it would be possible to change the constitution to allow for perpetual reelection. He did not, however, directly answer the question of whether he plans to run for a third term.
In the meanwhile, conventional El Salvadorian political parties have a difficult time winning back the public’s confidence.
The opposition parties angrily deny Bukele’s campaign’s accusation that they work with criminal groups.
However, Bukele has skillfully controlled public conversation by using a well-functioning media machine reinforced by a group of sponsored trolling bots that go after political opponents and journalists.
The legislative assembly has mostly supported Bukele’s proposals in the recent past, with the majority of legislation coming from the executive branch. Opposition proposals were seldom taken into consideration.
Who is the ‘coolest tyrant’ in the world, Nayib Bukele?
The moniker “world’s coolest dictator,” which Nayib Bukele has mockingly adopted on social media, is another one. But why is he seen as a tyrant and what makes him so awesome?
Bukele, a former publicist and mayor, gained prominence in 2019 by capitalizing on the public’s dissatisfaction with the established political parties. As an outsider, he campaigned on a platform of combating inequality, crime, and corruption. Additionally, he maintained a young and contemporary image by interacting with his fans on social media sites like Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok and ridiculing his detractors. He enjoys taking selfies and memes, and he often sports baseball hats, leather coats, and sunglasses.
As president, Bukele has also made a few unusual and contentious choices. El Salvador is becoming the first nation in the world to use bitcoin as legal cash thanks to his adoption of the currency. His ‘territorial control strategy’ include using the police and military to take down gangs, who are mostly to blame for the bloodshed in the nation. Additionally, he has prosecuted lawmakers and former officials from the opposing parties on counts of corruption.
Bukele’s admirers commend him for his audacious and creative deeds as well as his aptitude for relating to both the local populace and the global world. With an approval rating of 80%, he is among the most well-liked leaders globally.
Additionally, Bukele has shown hatred and intolerance for anybody who disagrees with or challenges him. He has labeled civil society organizations and independent media as liars and advocates of crime, and he has dismissed demonstrators as vandals. He has propagated propaganda and false information via his social media accounts, attacking and making fun of his competitors. Additionally, he has intimidated and harassed diplomats, activists, and journalists who report on his misdeeds or oppose him.
“A despot undercover”
On the other hand, Bukele’s detractors charge him of subverting democracy and human rights in the nation and with becoming a tyrant in disguise. They note that he has consolidated his authority and undermined the checks and balances by taking advantage of his popularity and the majority he has in the legislature. He now controls the judiciary because supporters have taken the positions of the attorney general and justices on the constitutional court. In addition, he has disregarded court decisions that limit his power, including those that ruled his bitcoin legislation and lockdown measures illegal.
In three decades, the killings of almost 120,000 citizens have been attributed to gangs, while Bukele’s administration has apprehended over 75,000 alleged members of such groups.
Human rights groups and the international world are concerned about Bukele’s authoritarian inclinations. Concerns have been raised and he has been encouraged to observe the rule of law and the separation of powers by the US, the EU, the US, the UN, and the Organization of American States. Additionally, they have forewarned him of the possible repercussions of his behavior, including instability, isolation, and penalties.
But Bukele has brushed these charges and warnings aside as meddling and double-dealing. He has maintained that the powerful and corrupt, who want to preserve the status quo, are against him and that he is working in the best interests of the Salvadoran people. Additionally, he has charged that the international community ignores his country’s accomplishments and challenges and applies double standards.
He vehemently denounced the US for its part in the horrific civil war that raged in the nation from 1979 to 1992 and blasted international governments, media, and human rights organizations for warning of an authoritarian trend. “Democracy means the power of the people,” he said. Regarding the election of a single party “in a fully democratic system,” he said that El Salvador had “made history”.
Bukele is a divisive figure both domestically and internationally due to his popularity and disobedience. While some see him as a despot and a threat, others view him as a visionary and a hero. In addition, he has come to represent a new generation of populist and authoritarian leaders who challenge and subvert the status quo by mobilizing his supporters via social media and other digital platforms. He really is the “coolest dictator in the world.”