Latin America Advisor

El Salvador’s new Legislative Assembly, controlled by the New Ideas party of President Nayib Bukele, in its first session on May 1 voted to remove the five magistrates of the constitutional chamber of the country’s Supreme Court. Hours later, it voted to fire the attorney general. The international community—including U.S. administration officials and legislators, the U.N. human rights chief and the Organization of American States—quickly blasted the moves as an attempt by Bukele to control the country’s institutions. What are the most important consequences of the Legislative Assembly’s sacking of the Constitutional Court magistrates? Will Bukele’s moves, which some consider to be undermining the rule of law, significantly affect the country’s business environment, or are the president’s pro-business policies enough to retain and attract investments? What explains the contrast between sharp criticism of Bukele abroad and his high popularity at home?