The Rule of Law vs. Bukele, the “World’s Coolest Dictator”

The Rule of Law vs. Bukele, the “World’s Coolest Dictator” 

A fireside chat on El Salvador 

Date: Monday, November 16, 2026 
Time: 1-2PM 
Location: Snow Dining Room, Vanderbilt Hall, NYU Law School

Latin America is experiencing a resurgence of repressive mano dura (iron fist) policies that have been used by governments to combat organized crime and gang violence.  At the forefront is El Salvador, where President Nayib Bukele has gutted democratic guardrails, conducted mass arrests and detentions, and cracked down on dissent in the name of public security.  All while he has proclaimed himself as the “World's Coolest Dictator” to his millions of social media followers.  

There is evidence that Bukele’s blueprint is now influencing security models across the region through an emerging pattern of indefinite emergency orders, and the mass suspension of civil liberties. 

Join NYU Law’s Rule of Law Lab and the Cyrus R. Vance Center for International Justice for an afternoon discussion with Noah Bullock, Executive Director, Cristosal, on Bukele’s threat to the rule of law in El Salvador, how his model is spreading across Latin America, and what can be done to counter these threats. RSVP here.