Bukele's Leadership: Transforming El Salvador Through Iron Fist Policies and Social Media Power

Journal Article - Bukele's Leadership: Transforming El Salvador Through Iron Fist Policies and Social Media Power

Date of Publication: July 2025

Author: Muhammad Praditya Dananjaya

How to Cite: Dananjaya, Muhammad Praditya. (2025). Bukele's Leadership: Transforming El Salvador Through Iron Fist Policies and Social Media Power.

Abstract: This article examines Nayib Bukele's leadership and his revolutionary government style in El Salvador, emphasising the convergence of stringent security policies, criminal populism, and digital political communication. Bukele's administration has realised a significant reduction in homicide and gang-related violence, chiefly through the enforcement of a prolonged State of Exception and the establishment of the Centro de Confinamiento del Terrorismo (CECOT), a vast prison epitomising total state authority. Utilising ideas of authoritarian populism, penal governance, and digital populism, the research examines how Bukele reinterprets legitimacy, transitioning it from democratic processes to performance-oriented results. By employing charismatic leadership and an advanced social media approach, Bukele has circumvented traditional institutions, centralised authority, and established a direct emotional bond with the populace. Although some Salvadorans rejoice in the restoration of safety and order, detractors caution against the deterioration of legal protections, judicial autonomy, and civil liberties. The report underscores a paradox: Bukele's popularity increases concurrently with the erosion of democratic standards. The study contends that although Bukele's model provides immediate stability and encourages regional imitation, it poses significant concerns regarding the sustainability of security attained through democratic erosion and institutional exceptionalism.

The full article and a downloadable PDF can both be found here.

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