El Salvador, 'indefinite state of emergency at the will of the people'
Félix Ulloa defends permanent state of emergency and confirms Bukele's third candidacy for 2027
Quick Look
- El Salvador's vice president Félix Ulloa has ruled out setting a date for the end of the exceptional regime, defending a permanent state of emergency by will of the people.
- The measure, in force since March 2022, has recorded 97% approval according to the government, while Amnesty International reports over 90,000 detentions and at least 470 deaths in custody.
- Ulloa confirmed Nayib Bukele's candidacy for a third term in the February 2027 elections.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The exceptional regime has been in force in El Salvador since March 2022. Nayib Bukele's government defends it as a measure that has made the country the safest nation in the Western Hemisphere, while Amnesty International reports over 90,000 detentions and at least 470 deaths in custody.
The vice president of El Salvador, Félix Ulloa, has ruled out setting a date for the end of the exceptional regime, defending an "indefinite state of emergency at the will of the people". During an interview in Madrid, he assured that the measure in force since March 2022 will continue as long as citizens deem it necessary, underlining a 97% approval despite criticism from human rights organizations. “No public liberties have ever been affected,” he declared.
The official rejected international readings, crediting Nayib Bukele's government with transforming the country into the safest nation in the Western Hemisphere. However, Amnesty International reported that the measure led to over 90,000 detentions and the deaths of at least 470 people in custody. In view of the elections scheduled for February 2027, Ulloa confirmed his desire to maintain the current political line. "Now Bukele will run for the third time, we'll see if people are satisfied," concluded the vice president.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The regime of exception in El Salvador will continue beyond the February 2027 elections with no set end date.
Likely · Within months
Nayib Bukele will run for a third term in the February 2027 elections.
Likely · Within months
Open Questions
- What are the criteria for assessing citizens' satisfaction with the exception regime?
- What concrete measures does the government intend to take to respond to Amnesty International's complaints?
- Is Bukele's candidacy for a third term permitted by the Salvadoran constitution?
