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Bukele defends indefinite re-election: "It’s not the end of democracy"
Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele has defended a new constitutional reform that removes term limits and allows him to run for office indefinitely, arguing it does not mark the end of democracy in El Salvador.
In a post on the platform X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, Bukele said, “Ninety percent of developed countries allow indefinite re-election of their heads of government, and no one is shocked. But when a small poor country like El Salvador does the same, it’s called the end of democracy.”
He added that the real issue lies in “a poor country daring to act like a sovereign one.”
Last Thursday, the Salvadoran parliament—largely dominated by Bukele’s allies—approved a sweeping constitutional reform. The changes not only eliminate presidential term limits, but also extend the presidential term from five to six years and eliminate the second round in elections.
Under the new law, Bukele's current mandate will end two years earlier than expected, in 2027 instead of 2029, clearing the way for him to seek re-election “without restrictions.”
Opposition lawmakers and human rights groups have strongly criticized the reform. “Democracy is dead in El Salvador… They’ve taken off the mask,” said opposition MP Marcela Villatoro.
The NGO Cristosal described the reform as “the final blow to democracy in El Salvador,” warning of an ongoing “repressive escalation” in the country. Juanita Goebertus from Human Rights Watch (HRW) echoed these concerns, comparing Bukele’s trajectory to that of Venezuela: “It begins with a popular leader centralizing power, and ends in dictatorship.”
Bukele, 44, has been in power since 2019. Though the Salvadoran constitution originally banned re-election, the Supreme Court—filled with pro-government judges—cleared the way for his second term. He won re-election in 2024 with a landslide 85% of the vote.
His popularity is largely attributed to a harsh crackdown on gang violence, which has drastically reduced crime in what was once one of the world’s most dangerous countries. Despite international concerns, many Salvadorans continue to support him for restoring order.