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Nayib Bukele: El Salvador's incoming leader promises 'new era' Nayib Bukele: El Salvador's incoming leader promises 'new era'
(about 20 hours later)
A 37-year-old political outsider who has promised to bring "a new era" to his native El Salvador is set to be sworn in as the Central American nation's president on Saturday. A 37-year-old political outsider who has promised to bring "a new era" to his native El Salvador has been sworn in as the Central American nation's president.
During his five-year-term Nayib Bukele wants to tackle El Salvador's legacy of gang violence and corruption.During his five-year-term Nayib Bukele wants to tackle El Salvador's legacy of gang violence and corruption.
An avid social media user who projects a youthful, unconventional image, Mr Bukele also wants to break with the left-wing foreign policy alliances his predecessor in office, Salvador Sánchez Cerén, forged.An avid social media user who projects a youthful, unconventional image, Mr Bukele also wants to break with the left-wing foreign policy alliances his predecessor in office, Salvador Sánchez Cerén, forged.
He says that instead he will prioritise El Salvador's ties with the United States and closely scrutinise the country's recently established relations with China.He says that instead he will prioritise El Salvador's ties with the United States and closely scrutinise the country's recently established relations with China.
Change at the topChange at the top
Mr Bukele's convincing election victory on 3 February represents a break in the long-running dominance of the two traditional parties in El Salvador.Mr Bukele's convincing election victory on 3 February represents a break in the long-running dominance of the two traditional parties in El Salvador.
Key factsKey facts
The left-wing Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front (FMLN) and the conservative Arena party had alternated in power since the end of the country's civil war in 1992.The left-wing Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front (FMLN) and the conservative Arena party had alternated in power since the end of the country's civil war in 1992.
It comes as little surprise therefore that Mr Bukele's Gana party should be seen as fresh start. Almost two-thirds of respondents in a recent opinion poll by CID Gallup said the expected his administration to be good or very good.It comes as little surprise therefore that Mr Bukele's Gana party should be seen as fresh start. Almost two-thirds of respondents in a recent opinion poll by CID Gallup said the expected his administration to be good or very good.
Mr Bukele wants to reduce the number of young people joining El Salvador's notorious criminal gangs by bolstering education. He has also called for social programmes to prevent them from being recruited in the first place, and for social reinsertion programmes to prevent reoffending.Mr Bukele wants to reduce the number of young people joining El Salvador's notorious criminal gangs by bolstering education. He has also called for social programmes to prevent them from being recruited in the first place, and for social reinsertion programmes to prevent reoffending.
He regards the recent rise in violence as "one of the greatest challenges that we have because it affects all matters like tourism, investment".He regards the recent rise in violence as "one of the greatest challenges that we have because it affects all matters like tourism, investment".
'In ruins''In ruins'
According to Mr Bukele, previous administrations have left El Salvador "in ruins".According to Mr Bukele, previous administrations have left El Salvador "in ruins".
The former mayor of San Salvador wants to distance himself from the foreign policy of outgoing left-wing President Sánchez Cerén, who maintained close alliances with the left-wing rulers of Nicaragua, Venezuela and Cuba.The former mayor of San Salvador wants to distance himself from the foreign policy of outgoing left-wing President Sánchez Cerén, who maintained close alliances with the left-wing rulers of Nicaragua, Venezuela and Cuba.
Mr Bukele has said Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro, whom he has called a "dictator", and Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega, can "say goodbye" to their old alliance with El Salvador.Mr Bukele has said Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro, whom he has called a "dictator", and Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega, can "say goodbye" to their old alliance with El Salvador.
The incoming president has also criticised his predecessor's 2018 break with Taiwan and establishment of relations with China, calling the move "underhand" and saying he will re-examine agreements made with Beijing.The incoming president has also criticised his predecessor's 2018 break with Taiwan and establishment of relations with China, calling the move "underhand" and saying he will re-examine agreements made with Beijing.
New allyNew ally
He has described the US as El Salvador's "natural ally number one", particularly on economic matters.He has described the US as El Salvador's "natural ally number one", particularly on economic matters.
The US ambassador to San Salvador, Jean Manes, has welcomed Mr Bukele's overtures saying: "My job is going to be easier because we will have more in common."The US ambassador to San Salvador, Jean Manes, has welcomed Mr Bukele's overtures saying: "My job is going to be easier because we will have more in common."
"The president is sending positive signs. Also, he has a more pragmatic way of looking at matters," Ms Manes said."The president is sending positive signs. Also, he has a more pragmatic way of looking at matters," Ms Manes said.
Some of his rivals for the presidency are, not surprisingly, less upbeat about the young incoming leader's style.Some of his rivals for the presidency are, not surprisingly, less upbeat about the young incoming leader's style.
Javier Siman, the defeated candidate for the Arena party, urged Mr Bukele to stop "playing politics on social networks" and "start acting like a statesman".Javier Siman, the defeated candidate for the Arena party, urged Mr Bukele to stop "playing politics on social networks" and "start acting like a statesman".