The United States government expressed its support on Tuesday for El Salvador’s recent constitutional reform, which enables indefinite presidential re-election and clears the way for President Nayib Bukele to seek a third term. In doing so, Washington also rejected comparisons between the Central American nation and authoritarian regimes.
“The Legislative Assembly of El Salvador was democratically elected to advance the interests and policies of its constituents. The decision to make constitutional changes is theirs. It is up to them to determine how their country should be governed,” said a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State.
The spokesperson further emphasized the legitimacy of the reform process, stating, “We reject the comparison of El Salvador’s legislative process—democratic and constitutionally sound—with illegitimate dictatorial regimes elsewhere in our region.”
The remarks highlight growing international recognition of El Salvador’s institutional autonomy and democratic process, even as debate continues around the implications of indefinite presidential re-election.