El Salvador
In early 2026, El Salvador is solidified as a state under the near-absolute control of President Nayib Bukele. While the government remains highly popular domestically for its successful dismantling of street gangs, international human rights monitors have labeled the country a "democracy in name only" due to the total removal of checks and balances and the normalization of emergency rule.
1. Constitutional Power Grab and Re-election
The political landscape of 2026 is defined by the erosion of constitutional term limits.
Indefinite Re-election: In mid-2025, the Legislative Assembly—controlled by Bukele’s Nuevas Ideas party—amended the Constitution to officially remove presidential term limits. This followed Bukele’s 2024 victory, which was itself a violation of the previous constitutional ban on consecutive terms.
Single-Session Reforms: In January 2026, the Assembly passed a reform to Article 248, allowing the government to push through constitutional changes in a single legislative session. Previously, such changes required approval from two successive legislatures, a safeguard that has now been eliminated.
2. The Perpetual State of Exception
A "State of Exception" (emergency rule) has been in place since March 2022 and, as of February 2026, has been extended 45 times.
Mass Arbitrary Detention: Over 90,000 people (approximately 1.9% of the total population) are in prison. This is the highest incarceration rate in the world. Human rights groups estimate that thousands of these detainees have no ties to organized crime and were arrested based on appearance, tattoos, or anonymous tips.
Suspension of Rights: Under this regime, Salvadorans have no right to a legal defense or to be informed of the reason for their arrest. In August 2025, the government extended the allowable period for pretrial detention to five years, meaning many will languish in prison without ever seeing a judge.
3. Prison Conditions and the CECOT "Mega-Prison"
Conditions in the Salvadoran penal system have been described by the UN and NGOs as "torturous and inhumane."
Deaths in Custody: As of February 2026, at least 470 deaths have been documented in prisons during the state of exception. Reports from organizations like Humanitarian Legal Aid indicate that many of these individuals bore signs of torture or died due to a systemic lack of food and medical attention.
CECOT Abuses: The flagship Center for Terrorism Confinement (CECOT) remains notorious for its secrecy. A 2025/2026 report documented near-daily beatings, prolonged solitary confinement, and sexual violence used as a method of discipline by guards.
Children in Adult Prisons: A 2025 reform now allows for children as young as 12, accused of gang affiliations, to be held in separate wings of adult prisons, exposing them to extreme risk.
4. Crackdown on Civil Society and the Press
The government has moved from verbal attacks to legislative measures to silence critics.
The Foreign Agents Law: In September 2025, a new law took effect requiring any NGO receiving international funds to register as a "foreign agent" and pay a 30% tax on all donations.
Exodus of NGOs and Media: Due to "suffocating" legal requirements and fear of arrest, prominent groups like Cristosal and the Association of Journalists of El Salvador (APES) officially closed their domestic offices in 2025 and moved operations abroad. Between May 2025 and January 2026, at least 140 journalists and activists fled the country.
5. Transition to a "Militarized Bureaucracy"
Municipal Control: Recent reforms have reduced the number of municipalities from 262 to 44, centralizing power and making it nearly impossible for opposition parties to gain local representation.
Militarized Public Safety: The military has essentially replaced the civilian police force in everyday life. In early 2026, the government formally raised the status of the "Brigade of Volunteers" to the rank of army, further blurring the line between traditional military and civilian auxiliary forces.