Nayib Bukele may want to become Latin America’s first millennial dictator
El Salvador’s young president ignores court orders, bullies lawmakers and brutalises prisoners
WHEN HE BECAME president of El Salvador last year, Nayib Bukele promised change. A millennial who knows that a selfie is worth 1,000 words, he broke the grip of the two parties that had governed since the end of a civil war in 1992. On their watch El Salvador’s murder rate became the world’s highest and Salvadoreans left the country in droves. Three of the past four presidents have been charged with corruption. “You bastards, return what’s been stolen!” Mr Bukele demanded before the election. He gave his victory speech in jeans and a leather jacket.
This article appeared in the Leaders section of the print edition under the headline “My tweet is your command”
From the May 9th 2020 edition
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