Opposition names candidates to compete against Bukele in El Salvador

El Salvador's established political parties, Arena and the FMLN, have named their presidential candidates for the upcoming February elections, setting the stage for a challenge against the highly popular incumbent, Nayib Bukele. Mayteé Iraheta of Arena and Rafael Aguirre of the FMLN are considered long shots against Bukele, whose approval rating exceeds 80%, largely attributed to his success in curbing gang violence that once made El Salvador the world's most dangerous country.

Mired in a state of exception, Bukele's security offensive has drawn sharp criticism from international organizations like Amnesty International, which cite grave violations that could amount to crimes against humanity. Iraheta stated her plan is to "protect" security gains while ensuring they serve collective progress, not just a select few. Aguirre called for a "national dialogue" and presented his candidacy as an alternative approach.

Bukele, a 45-year-old former advertising executive, broke the traditional two-party system in 2019, winning with 53% of the vote. He is now seeking a third consecutive term, a move enabled by a controversial constitutional reform allowing indefinite re-election. His critics label him an autocrat for consolidating power across all branches of government. Human rights groups point to the state of exception, which has led to the detention of approximately 92,000 individuals without judicial orders, as a tool to silence opposition.