The reform, passed Thursday by the Bukele-controlled Congress, extends presidential terms from five to six years.
SAN SALVADOR — President Nayib Bukele on Sunday defended El Salvador’s new constitutional reform allowing him to seek indefinite reelection, dismissing criticism of growing authoritarianism.
“Ninety percent of developed countries allow the indefinite reelection of their head of government, and no one bats an eye. But when a small, poor country like El Salvador tries to do the same, suddenly it’s the end of democracy,” Bukele posted on X.
The reform, passed Thursday by the Bukele-controlled Congress, extends presidential terms from five to six years.
Opposition lawmaker Marcela Villatoro declared: “today, democracy has died in El Salvador.”
Bukele, who won reelection in 2024 with 85 percent of the vote, faces sharp criticism from rights groups over mass arrests of activists and critics.
El Salvador now joins Nicaragua and Venezuela in eliminating presidential term limits.