Nayib Bukele

Vendors sell images of President Nayib Bukele during El Salvador's election campaign.

Nayib Bukele’s popularity steers him toward an unprecedented second term as president of El Salvador

Elections

In El Salvador, the official results of Sunday’s presidential elections are still not in, but that didn’t stop President Nayib Bukele from declaring victory on social media — and he looks slated to win. He was up for reelection, in a country that doesn’t allow reelection in its constitution. Bukele is extraordinarily popular. But many say the future is concerning.

On May 1, two large marches weaved across San Salvador in commemoration of International Workers Day. 

El Salvador president’s popularity soars with controversial approach to crime

Leaders
A young man is detained by the police, a suspect in a homicide near a market in San Salvador, El Salvador

El Salvador declares state of emergency amid killings

Violence
A bank machine is shown in a small building with blue lighting with two people sitting on a bench nearby.

Early stumble as El Salvador starts Bitcoin as currency

An array of bitcoins

El Salvador becomes the first country in the world to make bitcoin legal tender

Top of The World
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Hundreds of inmates are shown wearing only underware and sitting crammed together in rows.

El Salvador lines up semi-naked gang members for grim prison photos

Justice

Right groups condemned El Salvador’s president on Monday for releasing startling photos of hundreds of jailed gang members stripped to underwear and pressed together in formation, part of a punishment for an outbreak of violence.

Nayib Bukele speaks at a podium.

Nayib Bukele: El Salvador’s young social media star — and next president

Global Politics

In El Salvador, where political corruption is rampant, a young mayor with presidential aspirations catapults to the top with one simple promise: he won’t steal.

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