El Salvador: Thousands Protest Against President Bukele
teleSUR
People participate in a protest against the use of Bitcoin as legal tender and legal reforms to extend president Nayib Bukele's term in San Salvador, El Salvador. (photo: Jose Cabezas/Reuters)
02 October 21
The selective "purge" of judges and his economic policies unleashed the outrage of the citizens.
The protest began in the "Savior of the World" Square in Salvador city. From there, citizens tried to reach the Legislative Assembly headquarters. However, Police forces established a security perimeter around the building to prevent protesters from entering the area.
In September, Congress approved a legal reform allowing judges who are over 60 years of age or have 30 years of service to be removed from office. This provision would allow the Bukele administration to dismiss one-third of the country's judges.
Over the last weeks, Over the past few weeks, 100 judges voluntarily resigned in order to receive compensation, 34 magistrates were dismissed without benefits because they refused to resign, and 115 judges applied for the "stay on call" regime, which is an alternative contemplated in the new rule.
Comrade Ed Asner, heroic defender of the people of El Salvador and Nicaragua against US imperialism, former GM auto worker, president of the Screen Actors Guild, member of the Democratic Socialists of America, and an actor, has died. Red salute. pic.twitter.com/RXo3Ff1t9M
— Vijay Prashad (@vijayprashad) August 29, 2021
"Judges' rights have been violated... we asked the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) to pronounce against this outrage," said Judge Juan Antonio Duran.
Hundreds of veterans of the Salvadoran civil war (1980-1992) also joined the march. They demanded Bukele to honor the promises he made during his electoral campaign. These included higher pensions and scholarships for the children of former combatants, both from the Armed Forces and the Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front (FMLN).
Another reason why Salvadorans protested is the imposition of Bitcoin as legal tender.Citizens claim that this cryptocurrency will make them lose their purchasing power.
