President Nayib Bukele's CPAC speech rallied against "dark forces" threatening democracy. His rise as an unconventional leader mirrors a shift in Latin American politics. Bukele emphasized conservative principles, urged media integrity, and cautioned against economic pitfalls. Despite controversies, his popularity reflects a desire for change. Bukele's speech signals a global call for accountability and leadership grounded in governing in a responsive way to the people and workers, not only to the elite and political classes.
CPAC is a significant event held each year, since 1974 when it was launched in Washington DC, aimed at promoting conservative values such as limited government, law and order, civil liberties and rights, and virtues such as self-reliance and free will. This year's CPAC was held in Maryland at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center and one of the main addresses at this year's CPAC was delivered by the Salvadoran politician and rock star, President Nayib Bukele.
Bukele's CPAC Speech Highlights
Here is a video of the wonderful and inspiring speech eloquently given following his decisive victory in El Salvador at CPAC:
Highlights from the speech:
Bukele warns of "dark forces" capturing America and urges a similar unapologetic and forceful response to those forces as he has led in his country. The suggestion was met with raucous applause and approval.
He stated that his 84% margin of victory should give comfort to American politicians, whom he urges to fully embrace the principles of CPAC and to avoid being indecisive or wavering The people desire true leadership and action and his political career proves that point according to him.
He suggests there is nothing more important than a free press but that the press must report facts and truth, both areas it has deviated from and must return to for free societies to flourish.
Commentary was offered on America's dire financial situation which he points out is propped up by artificial money printing and that high taxes as a solution is only an illusion. He warns a bubble is forming in America that could burst with dire consequences.
Winning elections is not enough he suggests, the hard part is delivering results and doing what must be done to address underlying issues in each country no matter how hard those problems may be. Politicians can no longer be allowed to collect pensions, become wealthy, and sit in their fancy offices preparing for future elections while people suffer.
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President Nayib Bukele's Rise to Power
El Salvador's current president, Nayib Bukele, unconventionally rose to power. Bukele, a young businessman at the age of 36, with no prior political experience, founded his own party, Nuevas Ideas (New Ideas), in 2017. His platform was centered around fighting corruption and utilizing social media to bypass traditional old-style, biases and corrupted traditional media platforms. He quickly captured the hearts of the Salvadorans disillusioned with the status quo.
In 2019, he won the presidency in a landslide, becoming the first candidate not affiliated with the two dominant parties (i.e., ARENA and FMLN) to win since the end of the civil war in 1992. His most popular and successful initiatives have been sending troops into gang-controlled territories to root them out, and launching a national Bitcoin rollout, the first of its kind in the world.
His critics are few and reducing in numbers by the day. In 2021, Bukele's newly elected, supermajority-holding Nuevas Ideas party removed the Attorney General and Supreme Court justices, a move seen by many as an erosion of democratic checks and balances. Bukele remains a popular figure, with approval ratings hovering around 70%. In 2024, a 42-year-old Bukele triumphed in the latest Presidential election winning more than 85% of the vote and gaining 58 of 60 deputies in the assembly.
His story highlights the changing political landscape in Latin America, where non-traditional candidates and social media are playing an increasingly prominent role. The workers and everyday man are rejecting authoritarian rule by communists focused on enriching themselves and garnering votes with lies and deception. The magic is wearing off, and the victories of Bukele and Milei are two prime examples. Will Mexico and Lula, two countries presently dominated by far-left traditional Latin American politicians be the next to fall under the political wave sweeping Latin America?
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