Nayib Bukele, the Salvadoran president who has drawn global attention for his hardline security crackdown and Bitcoin adoption, announced on Tuesday that he will seek a second term in office despite constitutional prohibitions on consecutive re-election.
Bukele made the declaration during a nationally televised address from the Presidential Palace in San Salvador, framing his bid as necessary to complete what he called “the revolution of security and prosperity.” The announcement comes amid soaring popularity polls showing over 85% approval, largely attributed to a dramatic drop in homicides since his government launched a state of exception in March 2022 that has led to the arrest of more than 75,000 suspected gang members.
Constitutional lawyers and opposition leaders swiftly condemned the move as a direct violation of Article 152 of El Salvador’s constitution, which explicitly bars presidents from serving consecutive terms. “This is not just a breach of term limits—it’s an assault on the constitutional order,” said Sofia Méndez, a constitutional law professor at the University of El Salvador. “If Bukele succeeds in overriding this provision through legislative or judicial means, it sets a dangerous precedent for democratic backsliding in the region.”
The Supreme Court’s Constitutional Chamber, packed with Bukele allies after he replaced its members in 2021, is expected to rule on the matter in the coming weeks. Legal analysts note that while the court has previously issued rulings favorable to the executive—such as allowing Bukele to run for re-election in 2024 despite earlier interpretations—overcoming the explicit consecutive term ban would require a more aggressive reinterpretation.
Bukele dismissed concerns about authoritarianism, arguing that extraordinary times require extraordinary measures. “El Salvador was the murder capital of the world. Now we are among the safest countries in Latin America. The people have spoken: they want continuity, not chaos,” he said, citing recent GDP growth projections of 3.5% for 2024 and the country’s pioneering adoption of Bitcoin as legal tender in 2021.
Economists warn that while short-term security gains have boosted investor confidence, long-term risks remain. The state of exception has raised alarms at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights over due process violations, including mass arrests based on anonymous tips and overcrowded prisons where inmates report torture and inadequate medical care. “Security cannot be built on the erosion of fundamental rights,” said Juan Pablo Romero, a researcher at the Due Process of Law Foundation. “What happens when the emergency becomes permanent?”
Internationally, the Biden administration has expressed “deep concern” over democratic backsliding in El Salvador, though it has avoided direct sanctions, opting instead for targeted visa restrictions on officials implicated in human rights abuses. China, meanwhile, has deepened ties with San Salvador, offering infrastructure loans and supporting Bukele’s narrative of sovereignty against Western interference.
As campaign rallies begin to mobilize across the country, the central question looms: can a leader deliver transformative security and economic results while hollowing out the very institutions meant to safeguard democracy? For now, Bukele’s gamble hinges on whether the courts, the legislature, and ultimately the voters will allow him to redefine the rules mid-game.
What specific constitutional article prohibits consecutive presidential terms in El Salvador?
Article 152 of El Salvador’s constitution explicitly prohibits presidents from serving consecutive terms.
How many people have been arrested under the state of exception since its implementation in March 2022?
More than 75,000 suspected gang members have been arrested under the state of exception launched in March 2022.
What human rights concerns have been raised regarding the government’s security crackdown?
Human rights organizations have reported due process violations, including mass arrests based on anonymous tips, overcrowded prisons, and allegations of torture and inadequate medical care for detainees.
