El Salvador President Nayib Bukele stood before tens of thousands of roaring sports fans with a message: I am not a dictator.
“They say we live in a dictatorship,” Bukele said, but “ask bus passengers, people eating in restaurants, waiters. Ask whomever you want. Here in El Salvador, you can go anywhere and it’s totally safe. … Ask them what they think of El Salvador, what they think of our government, what they think of our supposed dictatorship.”
Often referred to as “sportswashing” – the use of sports to divert attention from controversy and improve reputations amid wrongdoing – the tactic has been wielded by autocratic governments across the world for decades. The accusation was most recently slung at Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for his investment in golf, the World Cup and other international sporting events.
The moves have been met with an avalanche of international criticisms, including by the Biden administration. After Bukele’s opening speech, Ramirez stood outside the stadium with a crowd awaiting for the leader’s exit - a scene similar to those at Taylor Swift concerts. Yet steps away sit heavily armed soldiers and black armored cars with machine guns on tops.
Legal experts and other Salvadoran politicians say these are just the latest steps in a conquest to solidify power ahead of February’s election. In the following days, Bukele’s Twitter account – his preferred means of communication, and a place where he once described himself as the world’s “coolest dictator” – posted videos of soccer matches, photos of tanned surfers, and clips of his opening speech. He posted little about his reelection campaign.
Among them is activist and union leader Ingrid Escobar, 40. When she left home one day in late June with her two kids to run errands, she saw men waiting outside in a gray truck criminologists later identified as one used by government security forces. The sight has become familiar over the past three months. So, too, has the fear.
Argentina Últimas Noticias, Argentina Titulares
Similar News:También puedes leer noticias similares a ésta que hemos recopilado de otras fuentes de noticias.
Cocaine found in West Wing of White House while President Biden was away: What we knowSecret Service said in a statement the White House was temporarily closed to allow members of law enforcement to investigate the substance, which will be undergoing further tests. Cocaine found in West Wing of White House while Biden was away:
Leer más »
Mysterious White Powder Found In West Wing Identified As President BidenWASHINGTON—After examining an unknown substance discovered on White House grounds, the Secret Service told reporters Wednesday that the mysterious white powder found in the West Wing had been identified as President Joe Biden. “Through extensive forensic testing we’ve determined the composition of the white powder to…
Leer más »
Chicago mayor names new Board of Education presidentChicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has chosen a former teacher and head of a prominent parents’ advocacy group to lead the Board of Education — part of Johnson’s near-total restructuring of the school board ahead of its transition to an elected panel.
Leer más »
Leaping from senator to president won't be easy for Tim ScottThe South Carolina Republican is keeping some distance from the Capitol as he seeks the White House — which makes sense, given recent history in his party.
Leer más »
South Africa deputy president's police escorts face charges after being filmed in highway attack | CNNSouth African police say four officers attached to Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s protection team, face multiple charges, including assault, after they were seen on video stomping on two unarmed men on the side of a highway in Johannesburg last week.
Leer más »
Johnson Announces New Chicago Board of Education Members, Taps Advocacy Group Head as PresidentBrandon Johnson announced that Jianan Shi, the executive director of Raise Your Hand for Illinois Public Education since 2019, will serve as the board’s president after former president Miguel del Valle stepped down after his term expired last week.
Leer más »