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El Salvador’s president, Nayib Bukele, has claimed a record-breaking reelection victory with more than 85% of the votes cast in Sunday’s presidential election. Bukele, who has been dubbed the “world’s coolest dictator” by some critics, said his win was a “referendum” on his government and its security policies that have drastically reduced the violence and crime in the Central American country.

Bukele’s Supporters Rejoice in San Salvador

Thousands of Bukele’s supporters, wearing cyan blue and waving flags, gathered in San Salvador’s central square to celebrate his reelection. Bukele, standing with his wife on the balcony of the National Palace, addressed the crowd and thanked them for their support. “The opposition has been pulverised,” he said. “El Salvador went from being the most unsafe [country] to the safest. Now in these next five years, wait to see what we are going to do.”

Bukele, 42, is the youngest president in El Salvador’s history and the most popular leader in the region. He rose to power in 2019 as an outsider who promised to end corruption and fight the gangs that have plagued the country for decades. He has also embraced social media and cultivated a modern and charismatic image, often wearing baseball caps and leather jackets.

Bukele’s Security Strategy Praised by Voters

One of the main reasons for Bukele’s popularity is his security strategy, known as the “state of exception”, which he implemented in March 2022. The strategy gave the police and the military sweeping powers to arrest and detain suspected gang members without charges. More than 75,000 people have been arrested under the policy, which has led to a sharp decline in the homicide rate and improved the security situation in many areas.

Many voters said they felt safer and more free under Bukele’s government and credited him for restoring order and peace in the country. “Before we couldn’t move around easily, through fear of being physically hurt,” said Vilma Abrego, a 55-year-old shopkeeper who voted for Bukele. “If you went somewhere new, you didn’t know if you’d come out alive. But now we have this president who is governing in the way that God intends.”

Bukele’s Critics Warn of Democratic Erosion

However, not everyone is happy with Bukele’s reelection and his dominance of the political scene. Bukele’s critics, including human rights groups, opposition parties, and international observers, have accused him of undermining democracy and the rule of law. They have pointed out that Bukele has clashed with the judiciary, the legislature, and the media, and has shown little tolerance for dissent and criticism.

They have also raised concerns about the legality and the sustainability of his security strategy, which they say has violated the rights of thousands of innocent people and has not addressed the root causes of the gang problem. They have warned that Bukele’s reelection and his control of the legislative assembly could lead to constitutional changes that could extend his power and remove term limits.

“Bukele is a populist authoritarian who is using his popularity to dismantle the democratic institutions and the checks and balances that are essential for a healthy democracy,” said José Miguel Vivanco, the director of the Americas division of Human Rights Watch. “He is exploiting the legitimate grievances of the people to advance his personal agenda and to silence his opponents.”

Bukele Defends His Policies and His Vision

Bukele, however, has dismissed his critics and defended his policies and his vision for El Salvador. He has argued that he is applying a unique solution to a unique problem, and that he is doing what the people want and need. He has also said that he is not interested in changing the constitution or staying in power beyond his term.

“I find it somewhat amusing when people say ‘Oh, in El Salvador, they arrest people and some of the arrested are innocent,’” Bukele said in a press conference after casting his vote. “I’m a little baffled because I wonder if in the UK all of the arrests are of guilty people or if sometimes your police arrest innocent ones?”

He admitted that the police had made “a couple of mistakes” but said that some 7,000 of those arrested had already been released. He also said that El Salvador had tried countless solutions put forward by Washington, the European Union, and the Organization of American States, but none of them had worked.

“We have a unique problem, and we have a unique solution,” Bukele said. “And it’s working.”