Bukele gains Trump’s favor: WASHINGTON − Salvadoran leader Nayib Bukele’s support in Washington can be attributed to a controversial agreement to hold hundreds of Venezuelans deported from the United States in a notorious prison and his reputation for having broken the back of the MS-13 gang. In 2023, Bukele vowed to capture the last remaining terrorist, more than a year into his war on El Salvador’s gangs. His aggressive stance against gangs has led to a significant decrease in recorded murders, from 2,398 in 2019 to 114 in 2024, earning him praise from Donald Trump, who described Salvadorans as having “a tremendous president”.
Bukele’s rise to power has been marked by unconventional moves, including disbanding checks and balances, firing judges, mocking opposition, and running for a second term despite an explicit ban. Despite these actions, his approval ratings remain high, hovering between 85-90%. Many Salvadorans seem willing to trade liberty for safety, which has been a hallmark of Bukele’s presidency.
Bukele’s Alliance with Trump
The relationship between Bukele and Trump has raised eyebrows among analysts and observers alike. Bukele has offered his mega-prison, the Terrorism Confinement Center, to hold prisoners sentenced in the United States. In return, the Republican administration has promised to help Bukele develop nuclear energy in El Salvador. This alliance defies conventional diplomatic norms, prompting questions about the motivations behind Bukele’s overtures to Trump. According to reports, Bukele has been preparing for this moment for five years, having made a bet that Trump would be back, and put significant resources into lobbying for him.
Controversies Surrounding Bukele
Bukele’s presidency has been marked by controversy, including allegations of making deals with the gangs he’s credited with defeating. A U.S. federal indictment suggests that Bukele rose to near-total control of El Salvador with the help of a Communist guerilla commander, Venezuelan oil money, and a winning deal with MS-13’s leadership. These allegations have raised concerns about the nature of Bukele’s relationship with gangs and the extent of his influence.
Still on Bukele gains Trump’s favor
A New Brand of Populist Authoritarianism
Trump and Bukele are not just allies; they’re avatars of a new brand of populist authoritarianism: post-ideological, post-constitutional, and deeply online. Bukele has been described as the “world’s coolest dictator” and has leveraged social media platforms like TikTok to build his image. Their alliance is built on a foundation of strongman theatrics, crypto dreams, and disregard for legal norms. As Bukele’s relationship with Trump continues to evolve, it’s unclear whether this partnership will yield benefits for El Salvador or the United States.
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