On Sunday, President Nayib Bukele won reelection in El Salvador in a landslide. Today, The Post’s Mary Beth Sheridan addresses what’s behind Bukele’s striking popularity, his self-proclaimed nickname on social media and his controversial war on gangs.
Nayib Bukele first took office in 2019 as an independent, becoming El Salvador’s – and Latin America’s – youngest president. He made a name for himself through his alleged crackdown on gangs and savvy use of social media to market his efforts.
While consolidating power and operating in a state of emergency, Bukele oversaw the imprisonment of more than 1 percent of El Salvador’s population. The improvements to safety have been celebrated across El Salvador, and other Latin American leaders are taking note of the approach. But these developments are also raising concerns that they come at a cost to human rights and democracy. Despite voting irregularities and a controversial decision that allowed him to skirt a ban on immediate reelection, Bukele continues to have widespread support.
Read More:
‘World’s coolest dictator’ reelected in El Salvador: What to know.
How to match Bukele’s success against gangs? First, dismantle democracy.
Today’s show was produced by Elana Gordon and edited by Monica Campbell. It was mixed by Sam Bair. Thanks to Carmen Valeria Escobar for additional reporting.
Subscribe to The Washington Post here.
The soft power of China’s pandas
Portugal's secret to living longer
Why are so many Americans dying early?
Trump on the witness stand
What Tuesday’s election could mean for abortion in 2024
The Empty Grave of Comrade Bishop: ‘We all had great expectations’
The Empty Grave of Comrade Bishop: ‘Somebody knows’
A family torn apart by a Trump-era policy
Why the U.S. gives so much aid to Israel
A night with the rat hunters
The “second phase” of Israel’s war with Gaza
How Taylor Swift became her own economy
A family taken by Hamas
The new House speaker is Mike Johnson. Who?
The Trump allies pleading guilty
Mexico’s migration challenge
Deep Reads: A trans woman’s journey to acceptance
How Lunchables ended up on school lunch trays
Will there ever be a new House speaker?
Searching for safety in Gaza
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The 7
The Daily
Up First
What Next | Daily News and Analysis
Today, Explained