El Salvador’s Democratic Decline: A Rapid Slide in Latin America
According to a recent intergovernmental report, El Salvador is experiencing the most rapid decline in democratic indicators within Latin America and the Caribbean. This deterioration is largely attributed to President Nayib Bukele’s policies, including a state of emergency that has led to arrests without court orders and a controversial move to allow indefinite reelection. The report highlights a sharp decline in freedoms, a weakening of the rule of law and judicial independence, and notes that El Salvador now has the world’s highest incarceration rate. The Bukele model, while popular, is associated with serious human rights concerns, including torture and abuse, and the country is now ranked with Afghanistan, Chad, Myanmar, and Tunisia.
John Q. Hosedrinker