You’ve probably seen the headlines about El Salvador lately. Most of them focus on President Nayib Bukele, the "world’s coolest dictator" (his words, not mine), and his massive crackdown on gangs. But if you want to understand how a country goes from a shaky democracy to a place where one man calls almost all the shots, you have to look at the Supreme Court El Salvador.
Honestly, the judiciary is usually the boring part of politics. It's just people in robes talking about legal precedents, right? Not here. In El Salvador, the Supreme Court has become the center of a massive tug-of-war that basically rewrote the rules of the country.
The Saturday Night Purge That Changed Everything
Let’s go back to May 1, 2021. This wasn't just a normal legislative session. It was the first day the new Legislative Assembly—packed with Bukele’s allies—took office. Within hours, they didn't just pass a few laws. They fired all five judges of the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court.
They didn't stop there. They also booted the Attorney General.
The removed judges actually tried to fight back. They issued a ruling right then and there, declaring their own dismissal unconstitutional. It didn't matter. By the next morning, the police were guarding the court building, and a new set of judges was being sworn in. This "Bukelazo," as some call it, effectively ended the separation of powers.
Who is Running the Supreme Court El Salvador Now?
The court is split into four chambers: Constitutional, Civil, Penal, and Administrative. The big one—the one that decides if the President’s actions are legal—is the Constitutional Chamber (Sala de lo Constitucional).
✨ Don't miss: Who Is More Likely to Win the Election 2024: What Most People Get Wrong
As of early 2026, the court is led by President Henry Alexander Mejía. He took over the presidency of the court following the tenure of Óscar Alberto López Jerez. Other key names you’ll see in the headlines include:
- Elsy Dueñas Lovos
- Luis Javier Suárez Magaña
- Héctor Nahún Martínez
These judges aren't exactly known for standing up to the executive branch. In fact, many of them were placed on the U.S. State Department’s "Engel List," which identifies actors who have undermined democratic processes.
That One Ruling About Reelection
If you're wondering why Bukele was able to run for a second term in 2024 despite the Constitution explicitly saying "no," look no further than this court.
In September 2021, just months after being installed, the new Constitutional Chamber issued a ruling that basically said, "Actually, the Constitution doesn't mean what it says." They interpreted the law to allow a sitting president to seek a second consecutive term, provided they took a brief leave of absence.
Critics were floored. The Salvadoran Constitution is pretty repetitive about banning consecutive reelection. It mentions it in at least six different articles. But the Supreme Court El Salvador decided otherwise, and that decision paved the way for Bukele’s landslide victory in February 2024.
🔗 Read more: Air Pollution Index Delhi: What Most People Get Wrong
The Human Cost of a "Captured" Court
It’s not just about high-level politics. This trickles down to regular people. Since March 2022, El Salvador has been under a "State of Exception." This means certain constitutional rights are suspended.
Over 80,000 people have been arrested.
When your cousin or neighbor gets picked up in a sweep, where do you go? Normally, you’d file a habeas corpus petition with the Supreme Court. But when the court is seen as an extension of the presidency, those petitions often disappear into a black hole. Human Rights Watch and local groups like Cristosal have documented thousands of cases where the judiciary simply failed to act on behalf of citizens.
Why It Still Matters in 2026
You might think, "Well, the gangs are gone, so who cares if the judges are independent?"
That’s a common sentiment in San Salvador. Bukele’s approval ratings are sky-high because people feel safer. But the danger of a captured Supreme Court El Salvador is that there’s no "off" switch.
💡 You might also like: Why Trump's West Point Speech Still Matters Years Later
In May 2024, the Assembly passed a reform that allows the Constitution to be changed by a single legislature with a three-quarters majority. Before, you needed two different legislatures to agree, which acted as a speed bump. Now? If the President wants to change the law on a Tuesday, it’s changed by Wednesday.
The court is no longer a referee. It's more like a legal department for the presidency.
Actionable Insights for Following Salvadoran Law
If you are tracking legal developments or business interests in El Salvador, keep these realities in mind:
- Don't count on "Amparo": The writ of amparo (protection of constitutional rights) is technically available, but in practice, it is rarely granted against government initiatives.
- Watch the Official Gazette: Laws change fast. The judiciary no longer provides a slow-down period for new legislation.
- Check International Rulings: Since the domestic courts are largely aligned with the executive, look to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACHR). Their rulings are still legally binding on El Salvador, even if the current government ignores them.
- Due Diligence is Different Now: If you're involved in contracts or land disputes, realize that "judicial independence" is currently a localized concept. Legal certainty depends heavily on your relationship with the state's current priorities.
The story of the Supreme Court El Salvador is a masterclass in how quickly an institution can be transformed. It serves as a reminder that the law is only as strong as the people willing to enforce it against the person who hired them.