Vote count issues doesn’t stop El Salvador’s self-described ‘world’s coolest dictator’ from declaring victory
A vendor holds up a T-shirt with an image of El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele, in San Salvador, El Salvador, Oct. 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo, File)
DATE OF ELECTION
February 4th
TYPE OF ELECTION
Presidential, congressional, municipal
WHO’S RUNNING
El Salvador’s Nayib Bukele won reelection by a landslide in a vote that was troubled in its tally, but really never in doubt. Bukele, who took temporary leave from the presidency to run for reelection despite a constitutional ban, garnered 84% of the vote in the Feb. 4 election, the Supreme Electoral Tribunal said Friday with more than 99% of the vote counted. El Salvador’s deeply discredited traditional parties from the left and right could not muster more than single digits against the popular Bukele. He will be sworn in for a second term on June 1. Bukele remains highly popular largely for his aggressive creackdown on the country’s gangs.
WHY IT MATTERS TO THE WORLD
Bukele has captured the fascination of not just Salvadorans, but also much of Latin America and the international community. He’s been sharply criticized by entities like the United Nations, but he’s also looked to as an example by many Latin American leaders as they scramble to take on the region’s security crises. Bukele’s resounding victory will strengthen his mandate within El Salavador, allowing him to continue to ignore outside criticism of his human rights record. It will also likely inspire more imitators across the region. The troubled vote count was mostly centered on congressional elections for which a hand count is ongoing. If Bukele’s New Ideas party increases its majority in the Legislative Assembly, constitutional reforms could be on the table, potentially opening the door to yet another Bukele candidacy.
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