El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele has removed presidential term limits from the constitution, allowing him to seek re-election indefinitely. The move was approved by his New Ideas party-dominated legislative assembly on July 31st. With a supermajority in power, Bukele can now rule El Salvador’s 6.3 million people for decades.
The decision is seen as a blow to democracy in the region, as it cements Bukele’s position as an autocrat. Despite his popularity across Latin America, the move has raised concerns about the future of democracy in El Salvador and beyond.
Bukele’s actions are part of a broader trend of authoritarianism in Latin America, with other leaders seeking to extend their power indefinitely. The decision will have significant implications for El Salvador’s politics and its relationship with the international community.
Source: https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2025/08/02/nayib-bukele-could-now-rule-el-salvador-for-life