International News:  El Salvador’s Bukele launches bid for third term after constitutional changes

By Zoila Palma:  El Salvador President Nayib Bukele has officially registered to seek his ruling party’s nomination for the 2027 presidential election, aiming for a third term in office after constitutional changes approved by his allies in Congress opened the door for indefinite presidential re-election.

The announcement was made on Sunday by Xavi Zablah, head of the ruling Nuevas Ideas party.

Bukele, who first assumed office in 2019, is currently serving a second term after legal changes allowed him to run for re-election.

In December, he indicated he was open to remaining in office for another decade. Vice President Felix Ulloa also registered to seek another term alongside Bukele, with both expected to face no challengers in the party’s July 12 primary.

El Salvador’s general election is scheduled for February next year. Last July, lawmakers aligned with the ruling party approved constitutional amendments that shortened Bukele’s current term, which began in 2024, and allowed him to seek another six-year term beginning next June. The same reforms also removed previous constitutional limits on presidential re-election.

If re-elected, Bukele would remain in office until 2033. The president, who turns 45 in July, continues to enjoy strong public support, largely attributed to the state of emergency introduced in 2022, which has been credited with significantly reducing crime rates across the country.

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