All eyes are on El Salvador in a recent report from the Associated Press.
EL SALVADOR-CRIME-GANGS-PRISON An handcuffed inmates members of a gang waits upon arrival at the maximum security prison in Zacatecoluca, 65 km east of San Salvador, on August 30, 2017. Thirty-five members of violent gangs arrested in connection with the murders of policemen and soldiers, were transferred on August 30 to Zacatecoluca, the Salvadoran authorities reported. / AFP PHOTO / MARVIN RECINOS (not the actual story)
The country's current leader Nayib Bukele also the self-titled "World's coolest dictator" has been the subject of controversy as some view him as a hero for his handling of the country's gangs. However, to some, he's seen as a tyrant. But that doesn't seem to be reflected in the recent polls where he has the support of 7 to 9 for every 10 voters. The report also discussed how Bukele has been evading El Salvador's constitution. Bukele is also seeking reelection despite the country's constitution.
Voter Support
Speaking with one voter, Alex Cisneros, discussed his reasons for supporting Bukele stating "He's done many good things and many bad things. People criticize him, but he's at least changed something." To add on the report cites that many citizens believe that they don't have many options following years of corruption and violence under El Salvador's traditional parties.
However, there has been a lot of criticism from those outside the country one comes from an American researcher for Human Rights Watch, Tyler Mattice, who has stated that Bukele is "One of the biggest risks for human rights and for democracy that we see in Latin America right now." His statement continued with "Bukele is incredibly popular, not only at home in El Salvador. We see a growing number of people in countries across Latin America who are supporting this kind of authoritarian populism because they believe that it could be the only way to address rising levels of violence."
Back when Bukele was first elected in 2019 he became the youngest leader in Latin America, but his wide recognition didn't arrive until 2022 following his harsh actions on the gangs that have had a grip on El Salvador for quite some time. For example, during a state of emergency Bukele's government locked up 76,000 people which equates to 1% of the country's population sending them to prisons where various rights groups have reported cases of torture and the death of 150 inmates. In addition, his government has been accused of systematic human rights abuses.
During an interview with reporters, Bukele's vice presidential running mate Felix Ulloa acknowledged that the government "made mistakes". However, he did double down and justified the crackdown stating, "This is not a police state, it's a state that provides security". He also told reporters "There is nothing that we have done that does not have a legal foundation."
Bukele's controversial but seemingly effective tactics on gangs have also influenced other Latin American territories with many of them following Bekele's example in their attempts to address their security crisis. If one thing is clear despite the controversy and harsh action of Bukele he remains popular among many with one restaurant decorating an entire wall with a mural of Bukele. The leader also provided a warning to voters stating the following "The opposition will be able to achieve its true and only plan, to free the gang members and use them to return to power."
