Political and Social Changes in El Salvador During Nayib Bukele’s Presidency

Abstract

This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the political and social transformations in El Salvador during the presidency of Nayib Bukele (2019  -  present). The aim of the study is to identify the essential characteristics of "Bukelism" as a specific governance model and to determine the consequences of the ongoing transformations for the democratic institutional framework of the country, the state of security, and the regional balance of power in Central America. The study employs comparative analysis, a systemic approach, and secondary analysis of existing scholarly literature. Content analysis of academic publications by leading researchers of the political process in El Salvador and Latin America serves as the methodological foundation. It has been established that Bukele's presidency is characterized by the phenomenon of "millennial authoritarianism"  -  a synthesis of traditional populist and authoritarian governance methods with a polished social-media brand. The key mechanisms of power concentration have been identified: subordination of the judiciary, constitutional manipulation, and suppression of independent media and civil society. An analysis of the anti-gang policy (the "state of exception") has been conducted; this policy led to a significant reduction in the homicide rate  -  from 36 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2019 to 1.9 per 100,000 in 2024  -  but is accompanied by systemic human rights violations, mass unwarranted detentions, and the undermining of the rule of law. "Bukelism" represents a new type of authoritarianism that exploits citizen support during security crises to dismantle democratic institutions and poses a serious threat to democratic development throughout Central America.