Presidential term limits abolished

EL SALVADOR’S President Nayib Bukele secured the right to seek indefinite reelection on Thursday after his party-controlled Congress approved a sweeping constitutional reform that also extends presidential terms from five to six years.

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Bukele, 44, who has been president since 2019 and was reelected in 2024 with 85% of the vote, now holds near-total control over the country’s institutions — in what the opposition calls a “dictatorship”.

In a fast-tracked vote, 57 of 60 lawmakers passed measures allowing reelection “without reservation”, extending the presidential term from five to six years, and doing away with a second round of voting in elections.

Lawmakers also voted to synchronise legislative, presidential and municipal elections.

Fireworks erupted in the main square of San Salvador as lawmakers ratified the reform in a second late-night plenary session.

“Thank you for making history, colleagues,” said Assembly President Ernesto Castro of Bukele’s party.