Overview
- Nuevas Ideas formally proclaimed Nayib Bukele as its presidential candidate with Vice President Félix Ulloa as running mate after internal primaries held Sunday that published winners but gave no vote percentages or named opponents.
- A July 2025 congressional reform removed consecutive-term limits, extended the presidential term to six years and eliminated the runoff, creating the legal route for Bukele to seek a third consecutive term.
- Bukele retains very high approval ratings driven by a hardline security campaign and a state of exception since 2022 that officials credit with sharply reducing homicides and dismantling major gang structures.
- Human-rights groups and critics say the security measures have led to arbitrary detentions and due-process abuses, and investigative reporting in May 2026 flagged large increases in declared assets among Bukele and close associates.
- Next steps include formal registration with the Tribunal Supremo Electoral before the November deadline and wider impacts to watch are further concentration of institutional power and how voters weigh security gains against rights and transparency concerns.