by Francesco Giappichini –
“Bukelismo”, the latest bizarre preparation of Latin American politics, has now undermined the “pink wave” as the theme most investigated by think tanks in the area. While the head of state of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele (and his political formation Nuevas ideas) represents a model for many politicians of the Subcontinent, who aspire to lead their own country (from Ecuador, to Argentina, from Guatemala to Colombia) . A ircocervo that fascinates political scientists: a mixture of authoritarianism, left-wing populism (he was elected mayor of San Salvador under the banner of the progressive Frente Farabundo Martí para la liberación nacional – Fmln), wealthy origins, overflowing popularity, bitcoin utopia (and relative exaltation on the part of cryptocurrency aficionados), disregard for institutional rules (as in the claim for a new mandate), effective and merciless fight against the mara or pandilla, contempt for the rights of suspects and prisoners, so much charisma in the eyes of the population (for the press is the «dictador cool»), a lot of presence on social networks (where on the former Twitter he also launches into bickering with other presidents), compression of freedom of the press.
On August 7, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met El Salvador’s Foreign Minister Alexandra Hill Tinoco. A meeting on which analysts continue to reason, although the scenario appears clear. The White House has no aversion, neither towards President Bukele, nor towards his «Movimiento social Nuevas ideas». Which at most judges necessary evils. With all due respect to human rights defenders and those who report the violation of democratic rules. The reason? Washington applauds San Salvador’s policies as effective in reducing illegal immigration. A theme that in the United States, needless to say, will be decisive in view of the presidential elections of November ’24.
In fact, following the most illiberal anti-crime measures, the flows of migrants from El Salvador have drastically reduced. (One million and 400 thousand Salvadorans live in the superpower with stars and stripes, representing 90% of the country’s diaspora). This is confirmed by the data provided by the International Organization for Migration – relating to the first five months of 1923 – on repatriations from the United States: the number of Salvadorans is much lower than the Hondurans and Guatemalans. And out of over 58,000 expulsions to Central America, only 4,025 concern citizens of El Salvador. “Our president has become co-responsible for illegal migration”: Minister Hill’s statement favorably surprised the White House, and ratified the (asymmetrical) San Salvador-Washington alliance, in the face of the migration challenge.
An approximation between the two nations, if not sudden, in any case constant: until 1921 the Americans blamed Bukele’s choices, and the appointment of his loyalists to the top of the judiciary was stigmatized. After that, despite the arrests and mass trials, the criticisms faded; to cancel almost entirely in the face of Bukele’s most disruptive decision: to run again for the presidency, despite the constitutional prohibition, (which was circumvented thanks to a Constitutional Court made up of “friendly” judges). However, Washington lets it transpire that, “in private”, he continues to exercise a sort of moral suasion, so that he doesn’t push his hand too much. Yes, human rights activists also cast votes.
