El Salvador President Nayib Bukele began his second term, pledging to tackle the country's economic issues after addressing gang violence in his first term.

Bukele, 42, won re-election with over 80% of the vote despite constitutional limits.

He declared El Salvador is no longer plagued by gang violence, comparing it to curing cancer.

Bukele's leadership saw mass arrests that significantly reduced gang violence, according to Reuters.

Now, he aims to revitalize the stagnant economy and reduce poverty, insisting his approach is effective.

Bukele, once a nightclub manager, faces the challenge of addressing El Salvador's economic problems.

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Security Concerns Amid Inaugurations

The swearing-in ceremony for President Nayib Bukele's second term took place under heavy security following a bomb threat.

Police arrested seven individuals, including former congressman Jose Santos Melara, for plotting to detonate explosives nationwide.

Bukele, who was expelled from the FMLN in 2017, criticized the peace accords ending El Salvador's civil war.

His re-election campaign highlighted his success in improving security despite suspending civil liberties and arresting over 80,000 without charge.

Bukele's crackdown sharply reduced murder rates, though it faced human rights criticism.

Luis Parada, an opposition politician, condemned violence in politics but raised concerns about false accusations by the national police.

In 2021, the Biden administration snubbed Bukele during a Washington trip.

However, three years later, a high-level US delegation led by Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas attended Bukele's inauguration, signaling a policy shift.

This change reflects the US's focus on immigration, a key issue in the upcoming presidential election.

Damian Merlo, an advisor to Bukele, noted that the US now recognizes Bukele's success in reducing migration from El Salvador, which contrasts with rising migration from other Latin American countries.

Bukele is credited with transforming El Salvador from a murder capital to one of Latin America's safest countries, significantly reducing migration to the US since he took office in 2019, AP News reports.

Focus on Economic Revival

In his speech, President Nayib Bukele promised to focus on strengthening El Salvador's economy in his second term, using his independent and unconventional methods.

He emphasized his commitment to national interests over external expectations.

Bukele's aggressive crackdown on gangs and political opponents, which led to the detention of over 78,000 suspected gang members, has drawn criticism from Washington and human rights groups, who claim the arrests were often arbitrary.

The US sanctioned several of Bukele's aides on corruption charges and redirected aid to civil society groups critical of Bukele.

In 2021, Vice President Kamala Harris voiced concerns about El Salvador's democracy after Bukele's allies removed Supreme Court justices who later allowed consecutive re-election, a move denounced by the US State Department.

Despite improved security, Bukele faces significant economic challenges, with over a quarter of Salvadorans living in poverty and rising unemployment.

His Bitcoin City project has stalled, and public debt exceeds $30 billion, or 84% of GDP.

Economists warn that reducing debt without cutting essential social benefits will be difficult, potentially impacting women and rural households.

A high-level US delegation's visit to Bukele's inauguration signals a shift in US policy, focusing on migration, public security, and anti-narcotics cooperation.

While some US diplomats urge caution, recognizing Bukele's authoritarian tendencies, a working relationship is deemed necessary.

El Salvador President Nayib Bukele's second term will test his ability to balance security successes with economic challenges, under scrutiny from both domestic and international observers.

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Written by: Ross Key

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