“Bukelemania” encourages elections with no surprises in sight in El Salvador

There are no large banners or rallies, nor streets lined with political party flags, but in The Savior There is no shortage of the president’s image on market stalls Nayib Bukelea heavy favorite for Sunday’s re-election.

Mugs, t-shirts, caps, keychains, watches, paintings, clay dolls, aprons or plaster piggy banks: no Excuartel Craft Marketin the historic center of San Salvadorsellers also seek to take advantage of the president’s popularity.

LOOK HERE: Nayib Bukele, the ‘telecandidate’ who seeks to break with single mandates in Salvadoran democracy

Oscar Martinez, 54 years old, has just bought a blue t-shirt printed with a photo of Bukele giving a speech. In the background the colors of a sunrise and the phrase: “El Salvador is reborn”.

An apron with the face of the president of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele, is sold at the Ex Cuartel market, in San Salvador, on January 30, 2024. (Photo by Marvin RECINOS / AFP) (MARVIN RECINOS/)

“I’m walking and the elections are coming and we are very excited to be able to vote. Before, we couldn’t travel for fear of gangs.“, Martínez, who works in U.S in air conditioning maintenance.

Bukele, 42 years old, aspires to re-election after the supreme court of justice made an interpretation of the Constitution, which only allowed a five-year term.

According to the latest polls – they cannot be published on the eve of the vote – it will be swept. His left and right rivals appear with single-digit voting intentions.

Glory of Echeverría53 years old, says “there is a boom”By Bukele. “He made history in everything. I’ve never seen so much product sold with the president’s face” he claimed.

MORE INFORMATION: How El Salvador changed during Bukele’s government and what his priorities will be if he wins a second term

In her store, she still has photos of the modern library built with loan China, recently opened with great fanfare by Bukele in the historic center. “This one sells a lot“, Explain.

Items with the face of the president of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele, are sold in a market in San Salvador, on January 30, 2024. (Photo by Yuri CORTEZ / AFP) (YURI CORTEZ/)

Judith Alfaro She also sells Bukele items, but she is not very happy because she is one of the street vendors that the government removed from the streets of the historic center to renovate it.

A welcome “dictator”

Sitting waiting for customers next to an apron with Bukele’s face in sunglasses, Ana Hernandez67 years old, says that “A lot of his stuff sells because people want it.”.

“That’s why they look for it and we sell it. For me he has been a good president, he doesn’t compare to the others”, says Hernández, with half a century of experience in the market.

Aerial view of a mural at the Zacamil apartment complex depicting Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, in Mejicanos, El Salvador, on January 26, 2024. (Photo by Camilo Freedman/AFP) (CAMILO FREEDMAN/)

Although Bukele enjoys 90% popularity, according to Latinobarómetro 2023, due to the war against gangs, human rights activists assure that it is based on an exceptional regime, in force since March 2022, which allows arbitrary arrests and abuses.

SEE TOO: Who are Bukele’s rivals in the elections in El Salvador and what the latest polls reveal

Analysts and human rights groups also warn that Bukele controls all the powers of the state, which he founded in The Savior an autocracy.

“If it were a dictator, welcome, because if it were a dictatorship like that, everyone would love it. (…). With this president we have, Nayib Bukeleand the entire (Legislative) Assembly in favor we are blessed,” said Martínez.

Human rights? Don’t seem to worry much here. “Foreigners even tell us, lend us Bukele“says Echeverría, laughing.

Source: Elcomercio