Nayib Bukele

Nayib Bukele was elected mayor of Nuevo Cuscatlan as a candidate of the Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front (FMLN). His administration focused on transparency and urban development, gaining him a reputation as a reformist.

Bukele was elected mayor of San Salvador, the capital, as an FMLN candidate. He implemented urban renewal projects, including the revitalization of the historic center, and used social media to engage citizens.

Bukele won the presidential election as the candidate of the Grand Alliance for National Unity (GANA), defeating the FMLN and ARENA candidates. He broke the two-party system, running as an outsider and promising to fight corruption.

Bukele entered the Legislative Assembly with military personnel to pressure lawmakers into approving a $109 million loan for security equipment. The move was widely condemned as an authoritarian act and a violation of the separation of powers.

Bukele's government passed the Bitcoin Law, making El Salvador the first country in the world to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender alongside the US dollar. The move aimed to promote financial inclusion and attract investment, but faced criticism from the IMF and concerns about volatility.

Bukele's government declared a state of exception, suspending constitutional rights to crack down on gang violence. The policy led to the arrest of over 70,000 suspected gang members, dramatically reducing homicides but drawing accusations of human rights abuses.