Salvadoran president declares emergency without OK from congress, sparking controversy

MAY 17, 2020 / 12:12 PM / UPDATED 2 HOURS AGO

Nelson Renteria
3 MIN READ

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele on Saturday night declared a state of emergency to extend coronavirus measures without approval by congress, touching off a torrent of criticism that the move had been unconstitutional.

Salvadoran lawmakers and prosecutors on Sunday vowed to challenge the decree, which they said had overstepped Bukele’s powers.

Less than a year into his administration, Bukele, a brash 38-year-old leader, has repeatedly angered rights groups, who say he has shown authoritarian tendencies. In February, Bukele and a group of soldiers armed with automatic weapons briefly occupied congress. Last month, he released startling photos of hundreds of jailed gang members stripped to underwear and pressed together in formation, horrifying advocates.

Congress approved an emergency declaration in March to respond to the coronavirus pandemic, but after an extension in April, the measure was due to expire Sunday. Lawmakers planned to discuss an extension when they reconvened on Monday.

Shortly after Bukele issued his decree, the Salvadoran attorney general said in a statement that it would file a suit alleging that the move was unconstitutional with the country’s top court.

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https://www.reuters.com/article/us-elsalvador-politics/salvadoran-president-declares-emergency-without-ok-from-congress-sparking-controversy-idUSKBN22T0NU?rpc=401&