Several Cubans have called for leadership in the style of Nayib Bukele on the island following the release of a Christmas message from the Salvadoran president
Bukele has shown images of the celebrations in the historic center of San Salvador, explaining his government's efforts to restore it.
"El Salvador has always been an underdeveloped country, but the worst place, the most dangerous, abandoned, and battered, was the Historic Center of San Salvador," he said.
Bukele recounted that the historic center "was an area destroyed by earthquakes, a civil war, decades of disorder, and more than 30 years of gangs"; however, despite the fact that "restoring it is much more expensive and difficult than simply developing a new area," his government has set out to make it "a clear and undeniable demonstration of the renaissance of El Salvador."
The publication of the controversial Salvadoran president, criticized for his authoritarian drift but praised for his achievements in security and the economy, has been commented on by dozens of Cubans who desire a similar administration for the island.
“When money is not stolen, it goes a long way—this is the best phrase said by Bukele, the best president of all time. Blessings to him; I hope one day my Cuba will have a president who is at least half as good as he is. Congratulations, Salvador,” said Elsy Candelario.
For her part, Ileana Molina believes that El Salvador "needed someone who felt that this land belongs to its people... and not to tyrants and gangsters."
"For me, it's clear, and if someone doesn't want to understand it, they should reflect on that... Someone like Bukele is needed in Cuba, period," he added.
"I hope that one day God sends a leader like you to my Cuba. With the same ideas as yours, if God sent you (Bukele) to El Salvador... I hope He does the same for countries like my Cuba, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Haiti, Mexico, Korea... Countries where these corrupt governments have caused total misery," commented Yassu Ríos.
For her part, Madelyn Perera wondered, "Can we hope for something as beautiful as that in our country, Cuba?"
Good authoritarianism?
In August of last year, El Salvador approved -without debate and by an overwhelming official majority- a constitutional reform that permits indefinite presidential re-election, extends the length of the presidential term, and eliminates the electoral runoff.
It is a radical transformation of the Salvadoran political system that eliminates the last legal barriers to the indefinite stay of Nayib Bukele in power, and has been described by the opposition and several international organizations as a clear step towards authoritarianism.
Since coming to power in 2019, Nayib Bukele has enjoyed massive support.
His war against gangs, implemented under a state of emergency since 2022, has been praised by many sectors of the population for its effectiveness in reducing homicides.
El Salvador has gone from being one of the most violent countries in the world to becoming one of the safest, according to official figures.
However, this security has come at a high cost in terms of human rights.
Tens of thousands of people have been detained without conclusive evidence or proper judicial processes.
The conditions in penitentiary centers like CECOT have been described as inhumane by various organizations.
Bukele has responded with disdain to the criticisms: “You know what? I don't care if they call me a dictator. I prefer to be called a dictator than to see Salvadorans being killed in the streets”, he said in January 2025.
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