Nayib Bukele: El Salvador's Controversial and Popular President

Nayib Bukele, a businessman-turned-politician, has been President of El Salvador since 2019. He rose to power by promising to combat corruption, reform the political system, and tackle the nation’s gang crisis.

After five years in office, Bukele remains extremely popular among Salvadorans; he is credited with drastically reducing crime and getting rid of gangs that terrorized communities for years.

Despite his popularity, Bukele faces growing criticism at home and abroad for authoritarian behavior. His critics point to attacks on judicial independence, suppression of dissent, and the concentration of power in the executive branch.

Becoming President: Bukele’s Rise to Power

Nayib Bukele’s political journey to becoming El Salvador’s president began under the banner of the leftist FMLN party. His first public office was as mayor of Nuevo Cuscatlán, a small town in the La Libertad department.

Building on that success, Bukele was elected mayor of San Salvador, the capital and largest municipality in El Salvador. His tenure there boosted his national profile significantly.

Following internal disputes, Bukele was expelled from the FMLN. He then formed his own political movement, New Ideas, which attracted strong support from disillusioned voters.

In the 2019 presidential election, Bukele ran under the GANA political party flag and secured a first-round victory with 53.1% of the vote, breaking the traditional two-party system.

He was re-elected in 2024 with an overwhelming 84.6% of the votes—his victory margin was 78.2%, further consolidating his political dominance and affirming his widespread popularity among the Salvadoran electorate.

The War on Gangs: Security Policies

Bukele’s most emblematic achievement during his presidency has been his war on gangs (MS-13 & Barrio-18), which, for years, controlled large portions of the country and installed fear among the population.

Bukele’s security policies transformed the country known as the “Murder Capital of the World” to the safest in Latin America—based on homicides.

Today, Salvadorans can walk freely anywhere in the country and at any time without the fear of being attacked by the ruthless gangs that controlled communities via violence and intimidation since 1992.

However, not everyone is happy with Nayib Bukele’s severe security measures.

Local and international Human rights organizations have criticized Bukele’s harsh security crackdown, citing widespread abuses, mass arrests without due process, and overcrowded prisons filled with people detained on weak or no evidence.

His aggressive anti-gang policies have ignited international debate, with critics questioning whether significant security improvements can justify undermining democratic achievements.

Plan Control Territorial

To confront the country’s gang crisis, President Nayib Bukele launched the Territorial Control Plan during his first month in office. He mobilized police and military forces to reclaim areas dominated by gangs.

The plan includes seven phases: preparation, opportunity, modernization, incursion, extraction, and integration. The details of the seventh and final phase remain undisclosed by the government.

This security plan aims to restore public safety and dismantle gang networks. The Territorial Control Plan has significantly decreased violence. Official data shows that today, El Salvador is among the safest countries in Latin America.

Nayib Bukele’s Territorial Control Plan — President Nayib Bukele. Image Source.

State of Exception

The State of Exception is Bukele’s most extreme Security Policy; it began in late March 2022 as a response to a surge in gang-related homicides—87 people were murdered in a single weekend. Authorities attributed the killings to the MS13 and 18 Street gangs.

Under the state of exception, individuals arrested lose key constitutional protections, including the right to be promptly informed of the charges against them—a safeguard usually guaranteed under Salvadoran law.

The emergency measure also permits authorities to monitor private communications without needing a search warrant, raising concerns about unchecked surveillance and potential abuses of power by security forces.

Additionally, the state of exception extends the length of pre-trial detention, allowing authorities to hold suspects for prolonged periods without formal charges or judicial oversight.

So far, the State of Exception has led to the arrest of over 86,000 alleged gang members or their collaborators. Additionally, it has resulted in the country achieving the lowest homicide rate in Latin America.

El Salvador State of Exception — Salvadoran Soldiers. Image by DefensaSV.

CECOT Mega-Prison

Another emblematic project of Bukele’s war on the gangs is El Salvador’s Mega-Prison, officially known as the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT)—which is one of the largest high-security facilities in the world.

CECOT is designed to house over 40,000 inmates, primarily gang members, under strict surveillance and with extreme security measures in place.

The Salvadoran government promotes the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) as a cornerstone of its anti-crime strategy, but human rights groups criticize it for harsh conditions and international controversy.

Authorities openly acknowledge that CECOT offers no comfort. Inmates sleep on bare metal bunks without mattresses or pillows, and cell blocks lack natural light, enforcing a strict and simple environment.

CECOT inmates cannot receive visitors or possess personal items and are allowed out of their cells for only 30 minutes a day.

In 2025, Bukele’s Mega-Prison gained more notoriety for housing foreign immigrants deported from the United States. These immigrants are held at the CECOT jail without being convicted or even charged with a crime.

Terrorism Confinement Center CECOT — Terrorism Confinement Center. Image Source.

Drastic Homicide Drop

Since taking office in 2019, Bukele’s security policies have drastically reduced crime in El Salvador. The daily homicide rate dropped from 6.57 in 2019 to just 0.31 by the end of 2024.

In terms of population, homicides fell from 35.8 per 100,000 people in 2019 to 1.89 in 2024—a historic low that places El Salvador among the safest countries in Latin America.

El Salvador Homicide Rate
Year	Total Homicides	Daily Homicide Rate	Homicides per 100,000 Inhabitants
2025 *April 10	19	0.19	1.15 *Estimated
2024	114	0.31	1.89
2023	156	0.43	2.4
2022	495	1.36	7.8
2021	1152	3.16	18.1
2020	1341	3.67	21.2
2019	2398	6.57	35.8
2018	3346	9.17	50.4
2017	3962	10.85	60.2
2016	5280	14.47	81.0
2015	6656	18.24	103.0
2014	3921	10.74	61.3
2013	2513	6.88	40.6
2012	2594	7.11	42.1
2011	4371	11.98	71.2
2010	3987	10.92	65.2

Sources: Salvadoran National Police. PNC - Medicina Legal de El Salvador - Fiscalia de El Salvador.

These dramatic improvements are credited mainly to Bukele’s aggressive anti-gang campaigns, including mass arrests and militarized policing, which have reshaped the country’s public safety landscape.

Criticisms From Human Rights Organizations

Human rights organizations criticize Bukele’s security measures—especially the state of exception—for several reasons:

Suspension of constitutional rights: Detainees often lose basic protections, including the right to be informed of charges and access to legal counsel.

Mass arbitrary arrests: Thousands have been detained based on appearance, neighborhood, or anonymous tips, with little to no evidence of criminal activity.

Extended pre-trial detention: The state of exception allows suspects to be held for long periods without formal charges or judicial review.

Lack of due process: Rapid arrests and overcrowded court systems have led to limited legal representation and rushed hearings.

Surveillance without warrants: Authorities can monitor private communications without judicial oversight, raising concerns about privacy and abuse.

Prison conditions: Reports highlight harsh, inhumane conditions in facilities like CECOT, including lack of light, sleep deprivation, and limited access to food or medical care.

Silencing of dissent: Critics argue that the crackdown extends beyond gangs and targets activists, journalists, and government opponents.

Bukele’s Alleged Gang Truce

Allegations have surfaced accusing President Nayib Bukele’s administration of engaging in clandestine negotiations with El Salvador’s major gangs, MS-13 and Barrio 18.

Reports suggest that these discussions involved offering financial incentives and prison privileges to gang leaders in exchange for a reduction in homicides and political support during elections.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury sanctioned two Salvadoran officials in 2021 for allegedly facilitating these negotiations.

Investigative journalism, notably by El Faro, has provided evidence supporting these claims, including audio recordings and surveillance images indicating meetings between government representatives and gang leaders within prison facilities.

Despite the administration’s denials, these revelations have intensified scrutiny over the methods employed to achieve the country’s notable decline in homicide rates.

Critics argue that such alleged agreements, while potentially temporarily reducing violence, may undermine the rule of law and set a concerning precedent for governance.

As the global community continues to monitor these developments, the long-term implications of these alleged negotiations remain a subject of significant debate.

Bukele’s Relations with the United States

Good political relations with the U.S. are important to Nayib Bukele. The United States is El Salvador’s most important international partner, providing economic aid and trade opportunities. Also, approximately 2.6 million people of Salvadoran descent reside in the United States.

During the Biden administration, political tensions escalated between the two countries due to concerns over democratic backsliding and human rights abuses. Biden officials criticized Bukele’s increasing concentration of power and suspended specific types of cooperation.

Political relations with Bukele have improved significantly during the Trump administration. President Trump has praised Bukele’s hard stance on crime. The Presidents met on April 14, 2025, at the White House in Washington, DC, and acknowledged their mutual respect.

Bukele’s Popularity

Nayib Bukele’s popularity within El Salvador is extraordinary; throughout his presidency (5 plus years), he has maintained an approval rating consistently exceeding 75%.

In mid-2024, surveys indicated that over 91% of Salvadorans approved of his leadership, reflecting sustained domestic support.

El Salvador’s significant crime reduction is the primary driver of Bukele’s popularity.

Consider the following: In 2019, El Salvador’s homicide rate was 35.8 per 100,000 people. By the end of 2024, it had decreased dramatically to 1.89 per 100,000, making the country one of the safest in Latin America.

This dramatic decline in violence has transformed daily life for many Salvadorans, who previously lived under the constant threat of gang-related crime.

Bukele’s aggressive security measures, including mass incarcerations and the construction of mega-prisons, have been central to this shift.

Nayib Bukele is also popular outside El Salvador primarily due to his tough stance on crime and what he achieved in El Salvador; he turned one of the world’s most violent countries into one of the safest in Latin America.

His bold leadership style and rejection of traditional politics resonate with audiences worldwide—especially in Latin American countries with high crime rates.

Many people admire his results-driven approach and his defiance of international criticism, especially from the U.S. (Biden administration), positioning him as a strongman leader who gets things done.

Bukele’s Bitcoin Project

Under President Nayib Bukele, El Salvador became the first country in the world to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender, alongside the U.S. dollar. The move aimed to boost financial inclusion, attract investment, and simplify remittances.

To promote adoption, the government introduced the Chivo Wallet, a state-backed app offering $30 in Bitcoin to users. To support the rollout, more than 200 Bitcoin ATMs were installed across the country.

Despite these efforts, Bitcoin adoption among Salvadorans remained low. By 2024, only 8% used it occasionally, and less than 1% of remittances were processed through cryptocurrency.

The Bitcoin initiative attracted crypto tourists, especially to places like El Zonte—”Bitcoin Beach.” While it boosted local tourism, residents’ widespread use of Bitcoin remained minimal.

In early 2025, amid economic challenges and pressure from the IMF, El Salvador repealed the Bitcoin legal tender law. Though the government still holds Bitcoin assets, its financial role has sharply declined.

President Bukele Stands Firm — Image by Roy Buri and jorono from Pixabay

Bukele’s Surf City Project

President Nayib Bukele launched the Surf City initiative in 2019 to transform El Salvador’s Pacific coastline into a premier global surfing and tourism destination.

Recognizing the country’s consistent waves and scenic beaches, the project aimed to boost tourism, stimulate economic growth, and create employment opportunities in coastal communities.

The first phase, Surf City 1, focused on La Libertad, enhancing infrastructure with a 6.5-kilometer coastal road, bicycle paths, and upgraded bridges.

These developments improved accessibility to renowned surf spots like El Tunco and El Sunzal, attracting international surf competitions and visitors.

Surf City 2 was inaugurated in 2025. It features a scenic 13-kilometer highway that connects 11 beaches in eastern El Salvador, including Punta Mango and Las Flores.

This phase includes bike lanes, modern lighting, and scenic viewpoints, further promoting tourism and regional development.

Beyond infrastructure, the Surf City El Salvador tourism project has hosted major international surfing events, such as the ISA World Surfing Games, positioning El Salvador on the global surf map.

These events have drawn athletes and tourists worldwide, contributing to the country’s growing reputation as a safe and attractive destination.

Surf City stands as one of Bukele’s flagship projects, symbolizing his administration’s commitment to revitalizing El Salvador’s image and economy.

Surf City El Salvador 2 Inauguration. Image Source.

Bukele’s Constitutional Controversies

Nayib Bukele has dealt with several constitutional controversies during his presidency.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, President Nayib Bukele enforced strict mandatory quarantines, detaining individuals in containment centers without legal authorization. The Supreme Court ruled these measures unconstitutional, but Bukele defied the court’s orders, raising concerns about his respect for the rule of law.

In May 2021, Bukele’s party, Nuevas Ideas, which held a majority in the Legislative Assembly, voted to remove all five magistrates of the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court and the Attorney General. This move was widely condemned as an attack on judicial independence and a step toward authoritarianism.

Despite constitutional prohibitions against immediate presidential re-election, a reconstituted Constitutional Court ruled in 2021 that Bukele could run for a second term. He was re-elected in 2024, a decision that sparked domestic and international criticism for undermining democratic norms.

Bukele’s Power Consolidation

Nayib Bukele has faced growing domestic and international criticism over concerns that he has consolidated power across El Salvador’s key government institutions, undermining the country’s system of checks and balances.

El Salvador’s government is built on three independent branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. It also includes a Constitutional Court, which plays a role similar to that of the U.S. Supreme Court.

Experts say Bukele’s power consolidation began in 2021, when his party, New Ideas, gained control of the Legislative Assembly, giving him sweeping influence over the country’s legislative decisions.

On its first day in session, the Bukele-aligned legislature removed the attorney general and all five Constitutional Court magistrates, replacing them with loyalists—placing the judiciary and legislature firmly under his control.

Later that year, the Assembly passed a reform forcing judges over 60 or with 30 years of service into retirement. This allowed Bukele allies to fill key judicial posts, including the Supreme Court.

Since then, the legislature—dominated by New Ideas—has appointed justices aligned with Bukele to El Salvador’s Supreme Court of Justice, further extending executive influence over the judiciary.

As of today, Bukele exerts control over the Legislative Assembly, the Attorney General’s Office, and both the Constitutional and Supreme Courts, prompting alarm over the erosion of democratic checks in El Salvador.

Bukele’s Political Career

Nayib Bukele’s path to becoming the president of El Salvador started with the left-wing political party FMLN.

Nayib Bukele started his public career as the mayor of Nuevo Cuscatlán, a small municipality in La Libertad. He then served as the mayor of San Salvador, the country’s largest and most prestigious municipality, before winning the presidency in 2019.

Nayib Bukele El Salvador. — Nayib Bukele & Gabriela de Bukele

Nuevo Cuscatlan Mayor (2012–2015)

Nayib Bukele began his political career as mayor of Nuevo Cuscatlán, a small municipality in La Libertad. He won the seat under the FMLN banner in coalition with Cambio Democrático.

Bukele and Cambio Democrático defeated the incumbent in that election, marking a significant political shift. His leadership style quickly set him apart from traditional FMLN approaches.

Tensions soon grew between Bukele and FMLN leaders. His independent, unorthodox style led to frequent clashes with the party’s leadership during his three-year term as mayor.

Despite the friction, Bukele transformed Nuevo Cuscatlán from an overlooked town into one of the country’s most admired municipalities, gaining strong public approval.

Recognizing his popularity, the FMLN reluctantly nominated Bukele as their candidate for San Salvador City Hall—the most important mayoral post in El Salvador.

San Salvador Mayor (2015–2018)

In the 2015 municipal elections, Nayib Bukele defeated businessman Edwin Zamora, a well-known figure from the right-wing ARENA party. He ran under the FMLN banner in coalition with Cambio Democrático (CD).

As mayor of San Salvador, Bukele applied the same governing style he used in Nuevo Cuscatlán—independent and hands-on. This approach again clashed with the FMLN leadership’s expectations and political norms.

During his term, he made the capital city more organized, safer, and cleaner, which boosted his popularity. His administration launched numerous public projects that directly benefited residents.

The most notable was the revitalization of San Salvador’s historic downtown, once seen as crime-ridden. Under Bukele, it became a safer and more vibrant cultural destination.

Despite high approval ratings and improved city performance, the FMLN expelled Bukele from the party. His growing independence and refusal to follow party lines ultimately led to their political split.

President of El Salvador

Nayib Bukele has been the president of El Salvador since 2019, marking the culmination of his political career.

He began his political journey with the FMLN party, serving as the mayor of Nuevo Cuscatlán, a municipality with an approximate population of 11,000, before ascending to the highest political office in the country.

Difficult Path to Become President

Nayib Bukele’s journey to the presidency was challenging. He competed as an outsider against a two-party system that had governed the country for over 40 years.

The two traditional political parties—FMLN and ARENA—controlled the media, municipal governments, and government institutions, which were all used to attack Bukele during the 2019 presidential campaign.

Nayib Bukele adopted an unknown approach by circumventing traditional media outlets and connecting with voters directly through social media; he focused on young voters and Salvadorans living abroad.

Bukele’s opposition in 2019 argued that he had no chance of winning because he lacked the ground game to effectively deliver his message to Salvadorans—they were wrong.

Bukele, a savvy communicator, used social media channels to connect with voters tired of the country’s violence and corruption. However, Bukele didn’t attend a single Presidential debate.

Bukele used two phrases to connect with voters: Regresen lo Robado and Los Mismos de Siempre.

Regresen lo Robado, which translates to “return what was stolen,” refers to the widespread corruption in the country perpetrated by politicians from both major traditional parties, ARENA and FMLN.

“Los Mismos de Siempre,” which translates to “the same politicians as always,” refers to the politicians from the ARENA and FMLN parties.

This phrase highlighted how these politicians often promised to address issues like gangs and corruption when campaigning. Yet, they failed to take meaningful action on those issues once they were in office.

The following describes Bukele’s journey to the presidency, starting with his expulsion from the FMLN party and concluding with the 2019 presidential elections.

Bukele’s FMLN Expulsion

In 2017, tensions between Nayib Bukele and the FMLN leadership escalated over the party’s direction and the governance style of then-President Salvador Sánchez Cerén, a senior FMLN figure.

By September, the FMLN Ethics Committee had brought charges against Bukele, accusing him of defamation, inciting division within the party, and verbally and physically attacking party member Xochitl Marchelli.

Bukele also faced criticism for his harsh remarks against President Sánchez Cerén. He refused to appear at the party’s hearing, and in October 2017, the FMLN Ethics Tribunal expelled him from the party.

The decision to expel Bukele came at a high political cost to the left-wing party. In the 2018 municipal elections, the FMLN lost 20 mayorships—including San Salvador—and eight legislative seats, marking a major electoral setback.

Political analysts attribute the FMLN’s losses to poor national governance and, more significantly, to the expulsion of Bukele, the party’s most popular figure. That expulsion became a turning point in Bukele’s rise to the presidency.

Creating the New Ideas Political Party

After being expelled from the FMLN—the only political party he had ever belonged to—Nayib Bukele set out to form his own party to run in the 2019 presidential elections.

Between late 2017 and 2019, Bukele consistently led all opinion polls, showing the highest approval ratings of any potential candidate. He was widely seen as the frontrunner for the presidency.

To register a new political party in El Salvador, one must meet several requirements, the most difficult of which is collecting 50,000 signatures within 90 days. Bukele surpassed that with 200,000 signatures in just three days.

Despite this overwhelming support, the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) failed to approve Bukele’s party, New Ideas, in time for the 2019 election—leaving him without a legal political platform.

Bukele turned to Cambio Democrático (CD), a party he had previously allied with, to stay in the race. It became the vehicle through which he entered and ultimately won the presidency.

Bukele’s Alliance with Cambio Democratico

When the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) failed to approve Bukele’s New Ideas party, he turned to Cambio Democrático (CD) as his platform for the 2019 presidential race.

Everything seemed set—Bukele would run under the CD banner. But on the final night of candidate registration, the TSE unexpectedly announced the cancellation of the CD party.

In a closed-door meeting on July 25, 2018, just hours before the midnight registration deadline, the TSE decided to revoke CD’s legal status. The decision wasn’t made public until the following day—after the deadline had passed.

Although the TSE denied targeting Bukele, many Salvadorans viewed the timing as a political move to block his candidacy. The secrecy and timing fueled suspicions and public backlash.

That controversial decision marked a turning point. Bukele allied with the GANA party, securing a new path to the presidency and ultimately winning the 2019 presidential election in the first round.

Bukele’s Alliance with GANA

After the last-minute cancellation of Cambio Democrático, Bukele’s only remaining option to run in the 2019 presidential election was to ally with the GANA party.

Bukele’s registration with GANA involved significant behind-the-scenes drama that took place on the night of July 25, 2018. Although the exact timings may differ, the order of events was crucial.

Around 7 p.m., the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) held a secret meeting to discuss the cancellation of Cambio Democrático. By 9 p.m., the decision was made—but kept quiet until the next day.

Between 9 and 10 p.m., Bukele heard of the meeting and suspected that something was happening behind closed doors regarding his political future.

By 11 p.m., Bukele quietly withdrew from Cambio Democrático and, just minutes before midnight, secretly registered with GANA—the only party left that could secure his presidential candidacy.

The next day, the TSE publicly announced CD’s cancellation. Bukele, already anticipating the move, revealed his switch to GANA and confirmed his bid for the presidency—it was a strategic and dramatic pivot that kept his candidacy alive.

Nayib Bukele President of El Salvador — Nayib Bukele on Election Night 2019.

Bukele’s 2019 Presidential Election Win

After a challenging path to becoming the presidential candidate, Bukele won the 2019 presidential elections.

Nayib Bukele secured a decisive first-round victory with 53.1% of the vote, defeating candidates from the traditional parties ARENA and FMLN. This victory marked the end of a 30-year two-party dominance in El Salvador’s political landscape.

Running under the Grand Alliance for National Unity (GANA) banner, Bukele’s win was fueled by his anti-corruption platform and appeal to younger voters seeking change. His campaign leveraged social media to bypass traditional media channels—directly engaging a broader audience.

Bukele’s inauguration on June 1, 2019, ushered in a new era in Salvadoran politics. As the first president in decades not affiliated with ARENA or FMLN, his leadership signaled a shift towards a more modern and populist governance approach, resonating with citizens desiring reform.

2024 Salvadoran Presidential Elections — President Nayib Bukele.

Nayib Bukele

President Nayib Bukele has redefined El Salvador’s political landscape with a bold, controversial approach that has earned him both passionate supporters and outspoken critics worldwide.

While his security policies have dramatically improved public safety, concerns remain about democratic backsliding and institutional independence under his administration.

As Bukele continues to reshape the country’s future, El Salvador stands at a crossroads—balancing real progress in security with the enduring challenge of preserving democratic principles.

Nayib Bukele: El Salvador’s Controversial and Popular President