Key Facts
• Nayib Bukele became president of El Salvador in 2019.
• His administration reduced crime through mass arrests without warrants.
• In 2021, Bukele replaced most Supreme Court judges, enabling re-election.
• In 2022, Bukele secured a second term as president.
• On July 31, 2025, Congress approved a constitutional amendment allowing unlimited re-election.
• El Salvador follows Venezuela and Nicaragua in removing presidential term limits.
• Human rights groups criticize Bukele’s authoritarian tendencies.
• The U.S. Trump administration supported the constitutional change as “democratic.”
• El Salvador opened a mega-prison for 40,000 inmates to combat gang violence.
Summary
Nayib Bukele, president of El Salvador since 2019, has consolidated power through controversial measures, including warrantless mass arrests and replacing Supreme Court judges to allow re-election. In 2025, Congress approved a constitutional amendment permitting unlimited presidential terms, effectively enabling Bukele to remain in power indefinitely. While his strong-handed approach has significantly reduced crime, critics argue it undermines democracy and strengthens authoritarianism. The U.S. Trump administration endorsed the changes, citing democratic procedures. El Salvador’s actions mirror trends in Venezuela and Nicaragua, where term limits were also abolished. Despite international criticism, Bukele remains popular domestically for his crime reduction efforts, including the establishment of a massive prison for gang members.
