El Salvador's Proposed Constitutional Changes Spark Concerns
Introduction
The governing party of El Salvador, led by President Nayib Bukele, has proposed constitutional changes that would allow for indefinite presidential reelection and extend terms to six years. This proposal was put forth by New Ideas party lawmaker Ana Figueroa on Thursday night in the Legislative Assembly.
Key Details
The proposed changes would remove the current limit of one five-year term for the country's president and allow Bukele to potentially hold onto power indefinitely. This move has been met with criticism from opposition parties, who are concerned about the concentration of power in the hands of one individual. Bukele has already faced backlash for his authoritarian tendencies, including his use of the military to intimidate lawmakers and his refusal to comply with court orders.
Impact
If the constitutional changes are approved, it could have significant implications for the future of democracy in El Salvador. Bukele's New Ideas party currently holds a majority in the Legislative Assembly, making it likely that the proposal will pass. This would solidify Bukele's grip on power and potentially lead to a further erosion of checks and balances in the government. The move has also raised concerns about the country's stability and potential for ongoing political unrest.
About the People Mentioned
Nayib Bukele
Nayib Armando Bukele Ortez, born July 24, 1981, in San Salvador, is the current president of El Salvador, serving since 2019[2][3]. He is the son of a wealthy entrepreneur of Palestinian descent, Armando Bukele, and grew up in a privileged environment[4][5]. Bukele began his career in business, managing a Yamaha dealership and a nightclub before entering politics in 2011[4]. His political rise was rapid: elected mayor of the small town of Nuevo Cuscatlán in 2012 as a member of the leftist Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front (FMLN), he then became mayor of San Salvador in 2015, where he gained popularity for urban revitalization projects and a strong social media presence[3][4]. Bukele’s relationship with the FMLN soured over allegations of corruption and internal disputes, leading to his expulsion from the party in 2017[3][4]. Undeterred, he founded his own political movement, Nuevas Ideas (New Ideas), and, after legal obstacles, ran for president in 2019 with the Grand Alliance for National Unity (GANA), winning with 53% of the vote[2][3]. At 37, he became the youngest elected president in Latin American history, ending decades of dominance by the FMLN and the conservative Nationalist Republican Alliance (ARENA)[3]. As president, Bukele quickly consolidated power, using his party’s legislative majority to remove Supreme Court justices and the attorney general, actions widely criticized as undermining judicial independence and democratic checks and balances[1][6]. He gained international attention—and controversy—for his hardline “iron fist” policies against gangs, notably the 2022 crackdown that led to over 85,000 arrests amid allegations of widespread human rights abuses[2][5]. Domestically, he remains highly popular, with approval ratings often exceeding 90%, credited with reducing crime but criticized for eroding civil liberties and press freedoms[2][5]. Bukele was re-elected in February 2024 with 85% of the vote, a result enabled by a controversial constitutional reinterpretation allowing consecutive presidential terms[2]. His administration continues to prioritize security and economic modernization, while facing ongoing scrutiny from international human rights organizations over democratic backsliding[6]. Bukele’s blend of millennial charisma, social media savvy, and authoritarian tendencies has made him a polarizing figure both at home and abroad, emblematic of a new style of leadership in Latin America[4][5].
About the Organizations Mentioned
New Ideas party
The **New Ideas party (Nuevas Ideas)** is a populist political organization in El Salvador closely associated with President Nayib Bukele. Founded by Bukele after his break with the traditional left-wing FMLN party, Nuevas Ideas has rapidly transformed El Salvador’s political landscape by breaking the long-standing dominance of the two major parties, Arena and FMLN[4][6]. The party serves mainly as a platform to promote Bukele’s administration agenda, characterized by a strong anti-corruption stance and a focus on public security[2][4]. The party’s history is marked by Bukele’s rise to power, first as mayor of San Salvador and then as president in 2019, winning with 53.4% of the vote through a coalition due to Nuevas Ideas not being registered in time. Bukele’s popularity soared due to his use of social media and bold policies against corruption and gangs, appealing to a public disillusioned with traditional parties[4]. In the 2024 elections, Nuevas Ideas secured an overwhelming majority in the Legislative Assembly, winning 54 of 60 seats after controversial electoral reforms that reduced legislative seats and changed representation rules, favoring the party’s consolidation of power[1][2][7]. Key achievements include the party’s role in enabling Bukele’s re-election in 2024 with 84.6% of the vote, following a Supreme Court ruling that overturned constitutional term limits. The party also led legislative reforms that centralized political power, such as reducing the number of municipalities and limiting minority party representation[1][7]. However, these moves have drawn widespread criticism for undermining democratic institutions, including accusations of authoritarianism, attacks on judicial independence, and curtailing civil society through laws like the 2025 “Foreign Agents” law, which targets NGOs and independent media[4][5]. Currently, Nuevas Ideas dominates El Salvador’s political scene, with Bukele’s government exercising broad contro
