El Salvador sets Feb 28 election as Bukele seeks third term

San Salvador, El Salvador, will hold presidential elections on February 28, 2024, according to the electoral tribunal. This move comes as President Nayib Bukele seeks to extend his rule beyond the original five-year term limit. Bukele, 45, has been in power since 2019 and has implemented a tough stance on crime, arresting around 92,000 individuals in a state of exception still in effect.

While this has led to a significant decline in crime rates, human rights organizations have raised concerns over alleged abuses, including torture, which could be considered crimes against humanity. Bukele denies these allegations and has labeled himself the "world's coolest dictator." He secured his party's nomination for a third term, which would see his presidency extended until 2033 if successful.

His opponents include former congresswoman Maytee Iraheta from the right-wing Nationalist Republican Alliance (ARENA) and union leader Rafael Aguirre from the left-wing Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front (FMLN). Bukele's ascent to power marked the end of three decades of alternating rule between ARENA and the FMLN.