In El Salvador, President Nayib Bukele candidate for his own re-election
Nayib Bukele, June 1, 2022 (illustrative image).
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Text by: RFI Follow
2 mins
In El Salvador, President Bukele announces that he is running for a second five-year term even though the Constitution prevents him from doing so.
His ruthless crackdown on gangs and his establishment of the state of emergency in the country has drawn him criticism from human rights organizations, but his popularity remains strong.
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“
I announce to the Salvadoran people that I have decided to run for the presidency of the Republic
”.
Nayib Bukele, already president since 2019, is again a candidate, even if the Constitution prohibits consecutive terms.
It must be said that last year, the Supreme Court of El Salvador had ruled in his favor.
It must also be said that it was the deputies of his party who had appointed the judges.
The announcement was made on El Salvador's Independence Day, when supporters of the president demonstrated in the capital, but also detractors, criticizing the exceptional regime put in place last March to fight gangs.
Since then, tens of thousands of people have been locked up.
Human rights defenders criticize arbitrary, violent arrests and deaths in prison.
But Nayib Bukele will continue on this path.
► To read also:
In El Salvador, mass arrests to fight against gangs
“
I decided to present myself to continue on the path that we have chosen.
For the first time in our history, this is the right path.
Certain developing countries will certainly criticize this decision, as they have criticized many before.
But that's up to the Salvadoran people to decide.
»
Last year, the United States criticized the Supreme Court's decision, insisting on the possibility of the return of an authoritarian regime in the country.
According to a poll from last month, 85% of Salvadorans approve of their president's policies.
► Read also
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El Salvador's economy loses millions but continues to bet on bitcoin
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salvador
Nayib Bukele
Crime
Human rights