The Philosopher King
- WULR Team
- Jan 31
- 3 min read
President Bukele of El Salvador
Published January 31 2025
Analysis by Max Kopper
In recent years, the political and judicial landscape of El Salvador has transformed dramatically under the leadership of President Nayib Bukele. Bukele, who won a landslide victory in elections earlier this year, now begins his second term with a platform centered on eradicating crime and strengthening public safety. His hardline stance on combat has garnered widespread popularity within El Salvador and admiration from international conservative circles. While Bukele’s crime-reduction methods have captivated many, some commentators suggest that tactics may signal a shift toward authoritarianism. Beneath his crime-fighting rhetoric lies a troubling pattern of circumventing the balance of power. Bukele has repeatedly sidelined human rights and circumvented checks and balances to further his political agenda. With a second term secured, Bukele now has the latitude to govern El Salvador as he sees fit, embracing the self-styled title of “philosopher king”.(1)
Elected in 2019, Bukele ran on a platform aimed to address the issues of gang violence, poverty, and underdevelopment that have long plagued the country. He positioned himself as a political outsider, vowing to overhaul El Salvador’s institutions and succeed where previous administrations had failed. A key focus of his campaign was improving the country’s security, which was severely impacted by gang violence. With one of the highest homicide rates in the region at 106 murders per 100,000 people, El Salvador was in desperate need of a solution.(2) Bukele responded by greatly expanding the military’s role in policing. In addition to bolstering law enforcement, he declared a controversial state of exception, granting authorities the power to detain individuals suspected of gang involvement without charge. This measure, intended to be temporary, has lasted throughout Bukele’s presidency, leading to the detention of over 70,000 people, many of whom have been denied due process.(3) The lack of legal safeguards has raised alarms about widespread human rights violations. For those brought to trial, the judicial system has failed to provide a fair process. Bukele’s government has authorized mass trials involving up to 900 people at a time, while judges, many of whom are linked to his political party, are not required to remain impartial. This erosion of judicial independence, combined with allegations of “prison quotas” for inmates, suggests that Bukele is using his anti-crime agenda not only to fight violence but also to consolidate political power.(4) Criminals haven't been the only ones targeted by Bukele measures, as of recently oppositional figures have found themselves harassed by law enforcement. While popular in the short term for their perceived effectiveness, these tactics point to a deeper, more concerning trend of authoritarianism under Bukele’s leadership.
Despite his increasingly dictatorial tendencies, Bukele remains immensely popular both domestically and internationally. Earlier this year, he was invited to speak at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), a prominent event associated with the American Republican Party and right-wing political movements worldwide. In his speech, Bukele emphasized the importance of a strong leader and the necessity of confronting those who oppose you.(5) His message was met with enthusiastic applause from the American audience, signaling growing support for his hardline approach to governance. Bukele’s acceptance by the global right wing highlights a broader trend of rising authoritarianism, particularly in the context of law and order. His vision of governance centered around strict security measures and centralized power has made him a symbolic figure for right-wing leaders seeking a model of “law and order.” This vision is ultimately self-serving, as it seeks to empower those in power, thus turning presidents into kings.
Feierstein, Mark, “El Salvador’s Bukele: The World’s Coolest Dictator or a Philosopher King?”.
Laura Aguirre, “Bukele Re-Elected: The Victory of Violence,”.
Bryan Avelar, “Mothers by Force: The Silent Impact of President Bukele's State of Exception in El Salvador,”
Carlos Dada, “A dictatorship is born”
Juan Diego Quesada, “Inside Nayib Bukele’s Alcatraz: ‘It Is Impossible to Escape’”.
Adriana Licon, "CPAC: Nayib Bukele, Trump, and the Conservative Movement,"
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