A groundbreaking shift in Latin American politics has solidified as El Salvador’s President, Nayib Bukele, secured a stunning 93% approval rating and a matching 93% positive image, according to the latest national survey by CID Gallup. The poll, finalized on May 24, highlights an unprecedented level of public support that positions Bukele as the most highly evaluated leader in the country’s modern history, leaving traditional political forces struggling for relevance.
The data, presented by CID Gallup’s general manager Luis Haug during a televised interview, reveals that 19 out of every 20 Salvadorans actively support the president’s governance. Furthermore, the sentiment goes beyond mere political satisfaction; an overwhelming 87% of the population expressed feeling proud to have Bukele as their leader. As Haug noted during the broadcast, Bukele “is a leader who carries out his administration with the strong trust of the people.”
This immense popularity creates an insurmountable historical gap when compared to El Salvador’s previous administrations. While Bukele comfortably surpasses the 90% threshold, former presidents from the traditional right and left wings trail drastically. Historical records show Mauricio Funes at 54%, Elías Antonio Saca at 48%, Francisco Flores at 43%, Alfredo Cristiani at 32%, Salvador Sánchez Cerén at 26%, and Armando Calderón Sol at a low 19%.
The political dominance of the ruling party extends to the inner circle, with First Lady Gabriela de Bukele emerging as the nation’s second most favorable political figure at 79%. Key cabinet members also maintain solid support, including Defense Minister Francis Merino Monroy at 40%, Education Minister Karla Trigueros at 34%, and Health Minister Francisco Alabi at 31%. This widespread favorability underscores a complete consolidation of political influence around the current administration.
Conclusively, the study highlights a stark reality for alternative political movements in the country, noting that high unfavorable ratings continue to plague dissenting parties. As the CID Gallup report ultimately concludes, “The opposition maintains high margins of unfavorable opinion, disabling any current counterweight.” The nationwide study was conducted via phone interviews covering 95% of the population, sampling 1,200 respondents with a 3% margin of error.