Introduction to El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele
Victor Barahona was grateful when soldiers started rounding up gang members who had long terrorized this working-class city. No longer would his grandchildren pass drug deals or be startled from sleep by the crack of gunfire. But when El Salvador’s military started hauling away neighbors Barahona knew had no connection to the gangs, he spoke out, criticizing the arrests on his community radio program. Soon after, police rapped on his door. Barahona said he was handcuffed and sent to prison, with no access to lawyers, no contact with family and no clear sense of the charges against him.
The Dark Side of Bukele’s Rule
He recalls seeing inmates being tortured and guards hauling dead bodies from cells while he lived on meager portions of noodles and beans. He would later lodge a complaint with the United Nations Commission on Human Rights. When he was released almost a year later — 70 pounds lighter, and with no explanation — Barahona was alarmed to see that President Nayib Bukele was winning global praise for bringing peace and prosperity to El Salvador, with his iron-fist security strategy heralded by American conservatives such as President Trump.
Favorite of the American Right
More and more, Bukele’s El Salvador is a model for the American right. He got a rock-star welcome at the 2024 Conservative Political Action Conference outside Washington, where participants chanted his name and he warned U.S. leaders to fight “dark forces … taking over your country.” Marco Rubio, Matt Gaetz and Donald Trump Jr. have made pilgrimage to El Salvador, and Republican commentator Tucker Carlson said Bukele “may have the blueprint for saving the world.” Elon Musk insists that El Salvador’s crackdown “needs to happen and will happen in America.”
Attracting Investment, Silencing Critics
San Salvador, a lush city that lies in the shadow of a dormant volcano, has been buzzing in recent years with the clatter of construction. The country’s main hospital is getting a facelift, and crews are renovating colonial buildings. A new library donated by China looms over the central square, where children splash in a fountain and boleros play from speakers hidden among trees. But while he has spent big on cosmetic changes, Bukele has slashed budgets for health and education. Dozens of schools and community clinics have been shuttered.
Accusations of Corruption
Instead of residing in the national palace, Bukele lives in a modern home in a luxury compound called Los Sueños: The Dreams. In recent years, his government has bought up multiple lots in the neighborhood to build what government officials say will be a new presidential residence. Enrique Anaya, a constitutional attorney who has criticized Bukele’s mass firings of judges and suspension of rights, said it’s clear that “his mission is clearly to stay in power as long as possible and to make himself scandalously rich.”
Conclusion
In conclusion, while President Nayib Bukele has been successful in reducing crime in El Salvador, his methods have been authoritarian and have led to numerous human rights abuses. His government has been accused of corruption, and his rule has been marked by a disregard for democratic norms. The international community must be aware of the true nature of Bukele’s rule and not be swayed by his charismatic persona and clever social media presence.
FAQs
Q: What is the current state of human rights in El Salvador?
A: Human rights in El Salvador are currently under threat due to the authoritarian rule of President Nayib Bukele. There have been numerous reports of torture, arbitrary arrests, and disappearances.
Q: How has Bukele’s government affected the economy of El Salvador?
A: Bukele’s government has slashed budgets for health and education, and the country has seen a rise in poverty and a decline in economic growth.
Q: What is the relationship like between Bukele and the American right?
A: Bukele has been hailed as a hero by the American right, with many conservatives praising his tough-on-crime approach and his willingness to challenge traditional democratic norms.
Q: What are the accusations of corruption against Bukele?
A: Bukele has been accused of using his office to enrich himself and his family, with reports of him purchasing multiple properties and engaging in other corrupt activities.
Q: How has Bukele’s rule affected the daily lives of Salvadorans?
A: Many Salvadorans are grateful for the reduction in crime, but others are afraid of the government and the military, and are concerned about the erosion of democratic norms and the rise of authoritarianism.
