El Salvador. Bukele, Presidente | Under the Shadow, Update 2

El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele has been reelected. While the official results aren’t yet in, with 70% of the ballots counted, Bukele has received an astounding 83% of the votes. He declared victory on Sunday night over X (formerly Twitter).
Under the Shadow host Michael Fox was on the ground for the election. He takes us there, and sits down for an in-depth conversation with Dartmouth assistant professor of Latin American Studies Jorge Cuellar.
They look at the vote. Concerns for the country’s democracy. Bukele’s reelection, his image, plans, and what it all means going forward.
Under the Shadow is a new investigative narrative podcast series that walks back in time, to tell the story of the past by visiting momentous places in the present.
In each episode, host Michael Fox takes us to a location where something historic happened-a landmark of revolutionary struggle or foreign intervention. Today, it might look like a random street corner, a church, a mall, a monument or a museum. But every place he takes us was once the site of history-making events that shook countries, impacted lives, and left deep marks on the world.
Hosted by Latin America-based journalist Michael Fox.
Recorded in San Salvador, El Salvador.
This podcast is produced in partnership between The Real News Network and NACLA.
Guests: Jorge Cuellar.
Sound design by Gustavo Türck.
Theme music by Monte Perdido. Other music from Blue Dot Sessions.
Follow and support journalist Michael Fox or Under the Shadow at / mfox
Use of Michael’s election day report courtesy of The World: theworld.org/media/2024-02-05...
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[@reeceh78]

It’s very hard to say that Bukele is eroding democracy. He has transformed El Salvador and has the popular mandate. Time will tell how their democracy moves beyond Bukele.

[@Putins_shirt]

People have such distorted notions of what democracy is. Like you said, he got a huge majority -- 85%. That's what democracy is -- rule of the majority.

[@reeceh78]

@@Putins_shirt it feels like there is a democracy that gets the approval of the educated aristocracy which includes leftist media, and another democracy that is the will of the people that will never get approval because it’s too close to the ground. Whinging about breaches of constitutionality when people are living in corruption and fear of their lives is impotent and politically clueless.

[@user-vp4zm1rx3y]

I mean sure .... Still he changed the supreme Court and changed the Constitution that's kind of questionable

[@Putins_shirt]

@@user-vp4zm1rx3y That's what the people voted for, and they confirmed their satisfaction with their choice by re-electing Bukele with 85% of the vote. That's a mandate, dude, like it or not. This is what the vast majority of the people want and that is the definition of democracy: rule by the majority. Where is it written or proclaimed that a democracy even has to have a constitution? The courts have ZERO to do with democracy. Democracy is a political system based on voting directly on issues, such as with referendums, or voting for representatives who will represent your own votes on such issues. Even in a jury trial, the judge makes the ruling; the jury doesn't get to decide.

[@user-vp4zm1rx3y]

@@Putins_shirt did they vote on the Constitution thing?

Y'all can call it dictatorship if you want, but I can tell you that I'll take this type of dictatorship over gang crime every day of the week. With the gangs we lived under constant threat...threat of death, of rape, of theft. Que viva Bukele y Nuevas Ideas!!

[@wendyc1902]

Yes. This type of attitude is happening Globally...even in the United States. Political oppression of varying degrees, decades of corruption, globalists agendas....the people are sick and tired of it!

[@jaysChannel23]

Best president El Salvador has seen !

[@naurienavas]

Bukele is the best President in the entire World...he really protects the good people and punish the criminales...if your a gang members your consider a terrorist in El Salvador if your are caught your whenever see the light of day again...Cuz President Bukele does not accommodate terrorism at all...

[@c.martinez516]

Best president in the world!!

[@fabferman3275]

Get the facts president Bukele the best

[@tonyhunt9001]

love this guy.

[@samatarali5334]

He will be the reason the people don't flee country anymore

[@ronalburgos3855]

This February 4th 2024 I voted for President Bukele 2024-2029 here in LA. I will go to visit El Salvador this November 2024 after 9 long years. Entonces eso es lo que nosotros los salvadoreños queremos

[@mesq26]

You're such a hypocrite, why vote in an election that doesn't directly affect you, good or bad.

[@etherealradar]

​​@@mesq26😂 angry much?

[@muhammadx1670]

you say that bc you are ignorant of the truth of this man, you chose not to look at everything this man has done bc you are too lazy to investigate. critical thinking is about hearing both sides and making an educated guess. you don't reason bc your emotions are too strong

[@ronalburgos3855]

@@muhammadx1670 Says “YOU” 🤣

[@Jomonoupapjanmbliyew]

Long live bukele,y'all think y'all so slick huh!? But y'all are not living their reality.

[@AntonioPeralesdelHierro]

Are you?

[@joez7759]

Imagínese mi México sin soñar con la realidad sin los políticos corruptos sin los miles de millones de drogas ilícitas imagínese haciendo algo positivo en lugar de darse palmaditas en la espalda y la gente enojándose por el fracaso en el que se ha convertido México. Que vergüenza…trabajar y ganarse la vida honestamente como quisiera que México fuera un poco como El Salvador.

[@oonaamookhao]

Bukele is on the right path, but if it’s spiraling down to mass surveillance and no check and balance like the CCP, then there’s a danger that El Salvador is heading towards autocracy. Thus, he must surround himself with critical thinkers who’ll give him their honest opinions without reprisal.

[@evan.iraheta]

Go Bukele 🇸🇻

[@verdadsentidocomunypolitic7243]

I am Salvadorean, and as a military I defended my country from the socialist/Communist fmln. I have studied and analyzed very deep what is happening in ES and the evidence reveals that at least 50% of the population is completely policatically iliterates so they can not see the danger/destruction that an autoritarian goverment like Bukele does to Democracy. His government is running at the edge of a full dictatorship, but people are ignorant about all the things that are essential to be able to consciously know why and who to vote for. More than 50% of the people don't know even their own rights, and when it comes to Economy, and its function, the constitution, justice, political sustems sich as how dictatorship form and their history peole are iliterate that is why so many people vote for this authoritarian guy that is only a few steps from becoming a full fledge dictator

[@alvarezcop]

Say what? They reinterpret the constitution? No SR. They applied the constitution...

[@gilbertojimenez8764]

I love the coolest dictator . Nayib Armando Bukele Ortes the bests president of the world 👍🏻👏🏻👏🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻🇸🇻. Nayib bukele for ever 🇸🇻🇺🇸

[@m.b.d7001]

Are you ok with a dictator?

[@lopezjose476]

He is the best President el Salvador has ever had.

[@joseeugeniogonzalez3286]

Althoug near 70% of Salvadorans love Bukele, his regime has ended the incipient democracy in the country. His nomination is inconstitutional

[@Jomonoupapjanmbliyew]

What is really democracy for you?

[@numbr17]

It is understandable to state this, but we need to see what happens 5 years from now. Does this "reign" continue? THEN, we might have concern. Right now, it is very clear what the people want, and what the people NEED.

[@dudebro91-fn7rz]

So you prefer gangs terrorizing people without end i'm assuming?

[@Chazzmatazz]

His rise to power seems a classic dictator origin story. One party rule never ends in freedom.

[@numbr17]

Well, if he loves his country... If he TRULY loves the people, he will know when it is time to step down. Only time will tell if he really is this "dictator" type.

[@dannyboy194]

Singapur 🇸🇬

[@FlaviusRed23]

@@numbr17If he does, he will become one of the greatest leaders in history, alongside Majorian, Augustus, Constantine, Otho, and others.

[@TI.T.O]

These comments are insane

[@bobague9654]

No they aren’t. People in El Salvador are not free when these gangs control their society. Look at how popular he is

[@numbr17]

How is it insane when he has FINALLY brought safety and security to his people? Something they all desperately needed... If he runs for a third term, then you can be concerned. Until then, let the Salvadorians have happiness and prosperity. It's clear this country needed this BADLY.

[@wendyc1902]

​@@numbr17 Nations all over the globe have allowed and participated in crimes going unchecked, people becoming less educated, soft PC culture... It will take tough love and hard truths to set things right. Lawlessness cannot continue! The billionaire globalists are facilitating this all over the world 😞

[@Chris-sm2uj]

the replies are confirming you

[@ask-mw5hk]

Remove dictator bukele!!

[@craigheide3573]

Voted into his position by the democratic majority, what's your problem? Are you a gangster or someone that doesn't care about innocent people's rights and safety?