Confronting Bukele’s “Authoritarianism” in El Salvador

!!!

Issue Mar 08-14 2023: President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador has become one of the most polarizing leaders in Latin America. Condemned by international human rights NGOs, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, pundits, and academics as a new style “caudillo” who rides roughshod over his citizens’ political and civil rights, he is widely popular with his own electorate for having seemingly brought El Salvador’s “maras” or gangs to heel. Since he came to power in 2019, he has declared an ongoing state of exception and thrown tens of thousands of their members into prison. His record of success (at least in the short run) has caused consternation and envy among his peers in neighboring countries, also making him a topic of much discussion.

To read the full content subscribe today!