U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in his statement, emphasized the importance of the strong relationship between the United States and El Salvador, saying, “The United States values our strong relationship with the people of El Salvador, forged over 160 years and built on shared values, regional ties, and family connections.”
How did Nayib Bukele win so much of the El Salvadoran vote? Firstly, he made it safe by crushing the crime lords, jailing gang members en masse and enforcing the law to turn what was once the continent’s deadliest nation into the safest.
He did what many said was impossible,… pic.twitter.com/uTGutp2uH4
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) February 5, 2024
President Nayib Bukele, who in the past has described himself as the “world’s coolest dictator,” stated, “All together the opposition was pulverized. 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.”
Congratulations to @nayibbukele—if you know anything about the history of crime in El Salvador 🇸🇻, you'll understand the importance of his continuing mission. More Latin American countries should take note and do the same for their nations. El Salvador is the safest country in… pic.twitter.com/zl5zVTUJfQ
— History Photographed (@HistoryInPics) February 5, 2024
Bukele also addressed concerns about his administration’s special powers to combat gangs, stating, “We are not substituting democracy because El Salvador never had democracy. This is the first time in history that El Salvador has democracy. And I’m not saying it, the people say it.”
2019: Bukele wins the Presidency and announces sweeping reforms to crack down on crime and gangs
2020: Homicide rates at historic low
2021: Murder rate down 59% from 2019
2022: Murders decrease by over 50%
2023: Murders fall by 70%
2024: Bukele gets re-elected in landslide… pic.twitter.com/UVlawPNISs
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) February 5, 2024
Sara Leon, a supporter of Bukele, expressed her admiration, saying, “He is a genius. If he’s a dictator, may we have a dictator for 100 more years.”
El Salvador’s constitution prohibits re-election, but after the 2021 legislative elections, Bukele’s party orchestrated changes in the constitutional court, allowing him to run for a second term. Critics argue that Bukele has undermined the country’s system of checks and balances.
Bukele defended his administration’s actions under the state of emergency, stating, “If the gangs saw a cute girl, they abducted her, abused her and killed her. I didn’t want that to happen to my daughter.”
The celebration in downtown San Salvador, previously gang-controlled, drew throngs of people, including Sara Leon, who had returned to El Salvador due to the state of emergency, expressing hope that her daughter could safely return.
