Felix Ulloa, vice president of El Salvador: People want Bukele's state of emergency; they feel protected'

"The country isn't the same as it was in 2019 or 2022. As a summary of President Bukele's six years in office, he cites security, economic growth, Shakira's recent concert, the more than four million tourists annually, as well as over 100 pristine beaches for surf lovers."

"In the last four years, the Central American country has lived under a state of emergency, which has been marked by nearly 100,000 arrests, human rights reports about torture and abuse, persecution of journalists and critical voices, as well as state participation in Donald Trump's mass deportations."

"Ulloa defended the constitutional reform that, last August, endorsed the president's indefinite reelection and paved the way for Bukele to run for a third term."

Felix Ulloa, El Salvador's vice president, describes his country as transformed under President Nayib Bukele's leadership, highlighting security achievements, economic growth, increased tourism, and cultural events like Shakira's concert. However, this progress coincides with a four-year state of emergency involving nearly 100,000 arrests, documented human rights violations including torture allegations, journalist persecution, and participation in Trump's mass deportation initiatives. Ulloa defended a constitutional reform passed in August that permits Bukele's indefinite reelection and enables a third presidential term. During his Madrid visit, he engaged with business leaders, lawyers, and conservative politicians while deflecting questions about El Salvador's foreign policy alignment with Trump administration strategies regarding Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua.

Read at english.elpais.com