President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador has emerged as the leader in performance ratings among Latin American and Caribbean heads of state, according to the latest CidGallup poll. The Costa Rican firm’s survey, conducted in January 2025, reveals that Bukele enjoys a high approval rating of 83%, placing him at the top of a list of 11 regional leaders.
The survey, which polled 1,200 citizens from each of the 11 countries, asked respondents for their opinion on how well their president is performing. Bukele’s commanding lead is evident, with Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves coming in second at 65%, 18 percentage points behind. Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader follows in third with 59%.
Other leaders in the poll include José Raúl Mulino of Panama (51%), Xiomara Castro of Honduras (50%), and Daniel Noboa of Ecuador (47%). Presidents from Nicaragua, Guatemala, Argentina, Bolivia, and Peru round out the list, with approval ratings ranging from 41% to 6%.
Bukele’s high approval is not limited to the region. A global survey by World of Statistics places him at the top of world leaders with a 91% approval rating, surpassing Vladimir Putin and Narendra Modi.
Since taking office in 2019, Bukele has maintained strong support in both local and international surveys, further solidifying his position as a prominent political figure worldwide.