Nayib Bukele defends indefinite re‑election and downplays Honduras Isla Conejo dispute

President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador publicly defended his bid for a third consecutive term after announcing his candidacy for the 2027 election. He said the 2025 constitutional amendment allowing indefinite re‑election was passed by a “super‑majority” of voters, carried out peacefully, and compared the change to reforms in established democracies such as Canada, the United Kingdom and Germany. Bukele dismissed criticism, asserting that the elections have been free, transparent and not rejected by any multilateral body.

Separately, Bukele used his X account to reject any prospect of conflict with Honduras over the uninhabited Isla Conejo in the Gulf of Fonseca. He called the idea of a clash “absurd,” stating, “Solo un tonto pensaría que atacaríamos a un pueblo hermano por una piedra donde no vive nadie.” While emphasizing a conciliatory tone, he reiterated that Salvadoran security forces would continue drug‑interdiction operations in the area, stressing that narcotics will not be tolerated.

Both statements illustrate Bukele’s effort to consolidate domestic political power while seeking to keep regional relations stable.