President Nayib Bukele begins today his fifth year in office with high approval from the Salvadoran population for his accomplishments over the past four years. Polling firms TResearch and the Center for Social and Economic Studies of Central America (Ciesca) confirm that Salvadorans approve of Bukele’s work since June 1, 2019.
According to TResearch, which released the results of its latest survey yesterday, 92% of the population approves of the government’s management, with only 7.2% expressing disagreement. The Ciesca survey found that 91.85% of respondents expressed support for the president’s reelection.
President Bukele, who will deliver a national address from the Legislative Assembly at 8 p.m. tonight, marking his fourth year in office and the beginning of the fifth, has focused on security and social peace by combating gangs and terrorist organizations that were previously negotiated with by ARENA and FMLN, former governing parties now in political opposition.
To achieve these results, the president implemented the Territorial Control Plan (PCT) in June 2019, shortly after taking office, and on March 27, 2022, the Legislative Assembly approved the state of exception to reinforce the fight against gangs.
Through this second measure, which is supported by the country’s Constitution, the Security Cabinet (Ministry of Justice and Public Security, National Civil Police, and Ministry of National Defense) and the Attorney General’s Office have managed to capture 68,579 gang members.
Despite these achievements in public security, the political opposition bloc (ARENA, FMLN, VAMOS, and Nuestro Tiempo) has not supported the funding of the PCT or the 14 extensions of the state of exception.
On a national scale, 92.2% (nine out of ten Salvadorans) support the implementation of the state of exception as a constitutional measure to combat gangs, according to the Ciesca survey.
The TResearch survey states: “From June 2022 to June 2023, the percentage of people who consider the security situation to be better or the same has increased from 73.5% to 95.3%. This is a positive trend that indicates an improvement in the perception of security in the country. It can be indicative of several factors, such as effective security policies, a decrease in crime, and a widespread sense of greater stability.”
“The data shows a consistently high approval trend for President Bukele’s presidency. There has been a steady increase in approval ratings from June 2022 to June 2023, going from 80.7% to 91.5%. This level of approval suggests that the majority of respondents believe that President Bukele is doing a good job,” it adds.
In fact, the president has been recognized nationally and internationally for his effective handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as advancements in healthcare and public education, which have been prioritized by the government.
The country has made strides in reducing the digital divide, with initiatives such as the distribution of computers and laptops. In September 2021, a historic educational reform known as “Mi Nueva Escuela” (My New School) was announced, encompassing six pillars: health and nutrition, infrastructure, early childhood, teacher training, updated curriculum, and technology.
President Bukele’s government has also made significant progress in addressing social struggles, gaining further support and recognition for its efforts in improving the lives of Salvadorans.