Salvadorans Protest Against President Bukele's Reelection Attempts

On the 200th anniversary of El Salvador’s independence from Spain, at least 35 social sectors on Wednesday took to the streets to protests against President Nayib Bukele amidst his attempts to modify the Constitution to be reelected.

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"This demonstration deserves to be recognized as the first one to be staged without ideological distinctions in our country. Students, environmentalists, transporters, Indigenous leaders, war veterans, ranchers, and judges are here to reject Bukele’s disrespect for the rule of law and democracy," stated Roberto Dubon, a digital activist and one of the demonstration's organizers.

So far, protesters have marched from the University of El Salvador to the Civic Square, where they denounced that the authorities tried to prevent the demonstration despite its peaceful development.

Police officers at a roadblock in San Julian City, for instance, confiscated circulation cards and licenses of who were heading towards San Salvador City. Protesters fear that the Bukele administration has given orders to the National Civil Police to block access routes to the capital city to prevent more citizens from participating in the protests.

On Wednesday, Mayan Indigenous peoples and social leaders also protested against Guatemala’s 200 years of independence celebrations, arguing that their country’s sovereignty has not meant respect for their rights.

“Why celebrating 200 years of theft and dispossession? Instead, let’s join and fight together to force the government to comply with the Guatemalan people's access to education, health, and land," protesters stated.