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Nayib Bukele, the current President of El Salvador, is a polarizing figure in his country and abroad. Bukele's unconventional style and controversial policies have attracted both praise and criticism, with some hailing him as a progressive leader who is shaking up El Salvador's political establishment, while others accuse him of undermining democracy and human rights.
Born in San Salvador in 1981, Bukele started his political career as a member of the leftist Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front (FMLN), a political party that played a major role in the Salvadoran Civil War. In 2015, he was elected mayor of San Salvador as the FMLN candidate. However, he was later expelled from the party for alleged acts of insubordination and joined the small, right-wing party Grand Alliance for National Unity (GANA).
In 2019, Bukele won the presidential election as the candidate of GANA, defeating candidates from both the FMLN and the conservative Nationalist Republican Alliance (ARENA) party. Since taking office in June 2019, Bukele has implemented a number of controversial policies that have drawn both domestic and international attention.
One of Bukele's most notable policies has been his use of the military to enforce COVID-19 lockdown measures in El Salvador. While some Salvadorans have supported this approach, others have accused Bukele of using the pandemic as a pretext to expand his powers and restrict civil liberties. Human rights organizations have also expressed concern about the military's involvement in civilian affairs.
Bukele has also been accused of undermining democratic institutions in El Salvador. In 2021, his government removed five judges from the Supreme Court and the attorney general, sparking international condemnation and concerns about the rule of law in the country. Bukele defended the move, arguing that it was necessary to root out corruption and ensure that the judiciary was independent.
Bukele's government has also been criticized for limiting press freedom in El Salvador. In 2021, the Inter-American Press Association condemned his government's decision to deny access to some journalists who were critical of his administration. Bukele has also been known for using social media, particularly Twitter, to communicate with his constituents and the international community. While some have praised his direct approach to communication, others have accused him of using Twitter to bully political opponents and journalists.
Despite the controversies surrounding his presidency, Bukele has been credited with reducing gang violence in El Salvador. In 2019, the homicide rate in the country fell to its lowest level in years, although some experts have questioned whether the decrease is sustainable in the long term. Bukele has also been recognized for his efforts to attract foreign investment to El Salvador, and for his focus on improving public safety in the country.
In 2021, Bukele's government made Bitcoin legal tender in El Salvador, making it the first country in the world to do so. The move was controversial and sparked protests from some Salvadorans, who were concerned about the cryptocurrency's volatility and potential impact on the country's economy.
Nayib Bukele is a complex figure who has elicited strong reactions from both supporters and critics. While his policies have drawn both praise and condemnation, there is no doubt that he has shaken up El Salvador's political establishment and brought new energy and ideas to the country's leadership. The future of Bukele's presidency and its impact on El Salvador remain to be seen.