- El Salvador’s controversial President Nayib Bukele has declared himself the winner of the presidential election in the Central American country.
- Bukele wrote on X on Sunday evening that he was re-elected with more than 85 percent of the vote.
- Bukele rejected allegations of an autocratic government.
The incumbent President of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele, has declared himself the winner of the presidential election in the Central American country. Bukele wrote on X on Sunday evening that he was re-elected with more than 85 percent of the vote.
His party Nuevas Ideas (New Ideas) also won at least 58 of the 60 seats in parliament. Official election results were not initially available. Around 6.2 million citizens were called to vote in the presidential and parliamentary elections, including 741,000 Salvadorans abroad.
In a press conference, Bukele rejected the accusation that he was ruling his country autocratically and imprisoning innocent people en masse.
Legend:
The 42-year-old Bukele took a six-month leave of absence for the election campaign. (Image from November 20, 2023)
REUTERS/Jose Cabezas
“El Salvador was the murder capital of the world,” said the former advertising executive. It is now the safest country in the Western Hemisphere. The election result will clearly express the will of the Salvadorans.
State of emergency in the fight against gangs
In the fight against gangs, the smallest Central American country has been in a state of emergency for almost two years. Over 75,000 suspected gang members have already been arrested.
Although violence in El Salvador has decreased significantly, activists denounce the violation of human rights.
El Salvador’s constitution actually prohibits the direct re-election of the president. However, constitutional judges loyal to the government had allowed Bukele to run for a second, five-year term.
In Congress, Bukele’s party “Nuevas Ideas” (New Ideas) is likely to expand its existing two-thirds majority. The new government is scheduled to take office on June 1st.