Examining the Media Landscape in El Salvador

El Salvador’s Bukele Faces Growing Challenges Despite Strong Popularity, Expert Warns

President Nayib Bukele’s authoritarian rule in El Salvador, though currently enjoying widespread public support, stands on increasingly unstable ground according to a prominent academic expert. The assessment comes as the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA) announced it will present its 2025 Human Rights Award to the Movement of Victims of the Regime (MOVIR), an organization supporting those affected by the government’s controversial detention practices.

In a recent podcast interview, Dr. Ricardo Valencia, associate professor of public relations at California State University, Fullerton, outlined several critical vulnerabilities threatening Bukele’s governance model despite its apparent strength. Valencia, who previously worked as a journalist in El Salvador and specializes in political communications, pointed to economic stagnation as a primary concern undermining the president’s position.

“The economic situation in El Salvador is not matching the security improvements that people perceive,” Valencia explained. “While Bukele has successfully marketed his security initiatives, particularly his crackdown on gang violence, economic growth remains lackluster with limited opportunities for ordinary Salvadorans.”

The professor also highlighted growing unease among moderate voters regarding what he described as the regime’s “celebration of cruelty” in its approach to mass incarceration. Under Bukele’s administration, more than 75,000 people have been detained through emergency powers, many without due process or formal charges, according to human rights organizations.

“Initially, many Salvadorans supported strong security measures after decades of gang violence,” Valencia noted. “But the regime’s increasingly theatrical displays of prisoner mistreatment and the growing evidence of innocent people being caught in dragnets is causing discomfort among mainstream voters who wanted safety but not necessarily brutality.”

The professor identified Bukele’s partisan approach to U.S. relations as another significant vulnerability. By aligning primarily with one political party in the United States, Bukele has potentially compromised El Salvador’s ability to maintain consistent diplomatic support regardless of which party controls Washington.

“This is a break from traditional Salvadoran foreign policy which typically sought balanced relations with both U.S. political parties,” Valencia said. “In a polarized America, betting exclusively on one side creates unnecessary risks for a country dependent on remittances and economic cooperation.”

Changes in migration patterns present yet another challenge. Valencia pointed out that emigration has traditionally served as an “escape valve” for economic and social pressure in El Salvador, but stricter U.S. border policies and increased deportations could trap discontent within the country’s borders.

“If Salvadorans can’t leave and more are being returned, that pressure cooker effect could intensify domestic grievances, particularly regarding economic conditions,” he explained.

Corruption allegations represent a final vulnerability for Bukele, who initially campaigned as an anti-corruption crusader. Recent scandals involving government officials have contradicted this image, potentially eroding his moral authority among supporters.

Despite these challenges, Valencia emphasized that Bukele’s position remains strong in the short term. The president’s communications strategy has effectively capitalized on genuine security improvements that have transformed daily life for many Salvadorans who previously lived under constant threat from gang violence.

“Bukele’s media operation is sophisticated and relentless,” Valencia said. “His team understands modern communication channels and has masterfully created a narrative of success that resonates with many citizens who remember how dangerous life was before his presidency.”

Valencia concluded by stressing the importance of continued international support for El Salvador’s civil society organizations, independent media outlets, and human rights defenders who work under increasingly difficult conditions.

“These institutions represent the foundation for eventual democratic revival,” he said. “Even when progress seems impossible, consistent accompaniment and solidarity with those documenting abuses and defending rights creates vital infrastructure for when political conditions inevitably change.”

The recognition of MOVIR by WOLA underscores the growing international attention to human rights concerns under Bukele’s administration, even as the president maintains high approval ratings domestically and has received praise for dramatically reducing El Salvador’s once-astronomical murder rate.