In a controversial and politically charged move, El Salvador has officially approved indefinite presidential reelection and extended the length of each presidential term from five to six years, deepening concerns about the country’s democratic integrity and concentration of power under President Nayib Bukele.

The constitutional reform, passed by a supermajority in the country’s Legislative Assembly, effectively dismantles previous limits that restricted presidents to a single five-year term, a clause that was long seen as a safeguard against authoritarianism in the post-civil war era.

Lawmakers pass sweeping reform

On Thursday, lawmakers loyal to President Bukele — who controls a majority in the 84-seat Legislative Assembly — voted in favour of the sweeping changes. According to the approved provisions:

• Presidents may now seek reelection an unlimited number of times

• Each term will be extended from five to six years beginning with the 2027 administration

• The reforms take effect immediately and override prior constitutional interpretations

The measure has been widely criticised by international watchdogs and opposition parties, who argue that the reforms weaken the balance of powers and increase the risk of long-term authoritarian rule.

However, Bukele’s supporters claim the decision reflects the will of the people, pointing to his overwhelming victory in the 2024 election, where he secured more than 85 percent of the vote despite legal questions about the validity of his candidacy.

Bukele’s path to reelection despite constitutional ban

President Nayib Bukele, a highly popular yet polarising leader, had already won reelection in 2024, marking a historic moment as he became the first Salvadoran president to serve consecutive terms since the end of military rule.

This was made possible by a 2021 ruling by the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court, which declared that the existing ban on immediate reelection was invalid. The court was reconstituted shortly before the ruling, with justices appointed by Bukele’s party after removing sitting judges, drawing criticism for undermining judicial independence.

That decision allowed Bukele to run again in 2024, despite the 1983 Constitution’s explicit language against consecutive reelection.

Now, the latest reform goes a step further — making indefinite reelection not just possible, but legalised through legislative amendment, and extends the presidential term from five to six years, giving sitting and future presidents longer tenures with fewer constraints.

Opposition warns of authoritarian shift

El Salvador’s political opposition has strongly condemned the move, calling it a blatant power grab that erodes constitutional checks and balances. Lawmaker Anabel Belloso of the opposition FMLN said:

This is not just a reform. It is the burial of democracy in El Salvador.

Human rights organisations, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, have also raised red flags, warning that the combination of indefinite reelection, judicial capture, and term extensions threatens to turn El Salvador into a one-party state.

The U.S. State Department expressed concern, stating that term limits are a cornerstone of democratic governance, and called on El Salvador to respect constitutional norms and maintain judicial independence.

Popular support remains high for Bukele

Despite international criticism, President Bukele remains widely popular at home, credited by many for bringing down crime and violence through his controversial crackdown on gangs, known as the State of Exception. Under his rule:

• Homicide rates dropped dramatically from one of the world’s highest to among the lowest in Latin America

• Thousands of suspected gang members were jailed, though critics say many innocent citizens were also swept up in the mass arrests

• Infrastructure development, digital innovation including the adoption of Bitcoin, and public service delivery have boosted his image among the youth and poor voters

Bukele’s approval ratings have hovered between 75 to 90 percent, making him one of the most popular leaders in the world, according to various regional polls.

The new structure of presidential terms

Under the approved changes:

• Presidents can now seek reelection an unlimited number of times

• Beginning in 2027, each term will last six years instead of five

• Current or former presidents are eligible, meaning Bukele could potentially remain in power beyond 2036

Proponents argue that longer terms reduce electoral fatigue and increase policy continuity, but critics warn that the move eliminates the last meaningful barrier to lifetime rule.

Legal analysts point out that the reforms were passed without a national referendum, instead relying solely on legislative power. The Constitutional Chamber, now seen as loyal to Bukele, is unlikely to challenge the amendments.

Regional implications and global reactions

El Salvador’s shift toward indefinite reelection puts it in line with authoritarian trends seen in Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Russia, where strongman leaders have used constitutional reforms to prolong their rule indefinitely.

The Organisation of American States (OAS) issued a statement expressing serious concern and urged member states to stand up for democratic principles. Meanwhile, the European Union has indicated it may review its diplomatic engagement with El Salvador over deteriorating democratic standards.

Within Latin America, the move has sparked debates in countries like Guatemala, Honduras, and Paraguay, where discussions about term limits have similarly surfaced.

What this means for El Salvador’s future

The approval of indefinite reelection and extended presidential terms cements Nayib Bukele’s dominant position in Salvadoran politics for the foreseeable future. His New Ideas party controls the legislature, the judiciary is loyal, and the public continues to show strong support, giving him near-total control over the state apparatus.

If Bukele chooses to run again in 2030, 2036, and beyond, there appears to be no institutional barrier left to stop him — assuming public sentiment does not shift dramatically.

However, critics warn that the centralisation of power under one leader, no matter how popular, carries long-term risks for democratic institutions, minority rights, and civil liberties.

Final thoughts

El Salvador’s political transformation, marked by this latest constitutional reform, signals a broader regional and global pattern where popular strongmen consolidate power through legal mechanisms. While many Salvadorans continue to see Bukele as a reformer and protector, the international community and domestic opposition view the changes as a dangerous step toward authoritarianism.

As the country enters this new era of extended presidential rule, the world will be watching closely to see whether democratic norms can survive, or whether the foundations laid by El Salvador’s civil war peace accords have finally been dismantled.

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