Story perspectives

El Salvador's Democracy Plummets Amid Bukele's Tight Grip

9/14/2025

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Summary

Story summary

El Salvador experiences the fastest decline in democracy in Latin America, as reported by International IDEA.
President Nayib Bukele has maintained a state of emergency since 2022, allowing arrests without court orders to address gang violence.
His Congress approved indefinite reelection, enabling him to stay in power amid strong support for his anti-gang measures.
The report indicates significant reductions in freedoms, rule of law, and judicial independence.
El Salvador has the highest global incarceration rate, with 85,000 prisoners in a population of six million, alongside widespread human rights abuses.

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Story summary

El Salvador experiences the fastest decline in democracy in Latin America, as reported by International IDEA.
President Nayib Bukele has maintained a state of emergency since 2022, allowing arrests without court orders to address gang violence.
His Congress approved indefinite reelection, enabling him to stay in power amid strong support for his anti-gang measures.
The report indicates significant reductions in freedoms, rule of law, and judicial independence.
El Salvador has the highest global incarceration rate, with 85,000 prisoners in a population of six million, alongside widespread human rights abuses.