May 27 (UPI) -- A sharp drop in crime in El Salvador has made President Nayib Bukele one of Latin America's most prominent leaders. As violence increases across the region, his security gains are drawing interest from local leaders looking to form a regional political movement, tapping into public frustration over crime and insecurity.
The so-called "Bukelista movement" began to take shape earlier this year during a meeting in Colombia that included participants from Chile and Guatemala. The group established a regional agenda to promote the model across Latin America. Among those attending was Colombian attorney Andrés Guzmán Caballero, who was appointed in 2023 by Bukele as El Salvador's presidential commissioner for human rights and freedom of expression.
In Colombia, "Bukelismo" became an officially registered political party in April after receiving recognition from the National Electoral Council. "Bukelistas Colombia" is now active in 24 of the country's 33 departments and plans to field candidates for the Senate and presidency in the next elections, according to Mauricio Morris, a political marketing expert and leader of the movement in Colombia.
Similar Bukelista movements and parties have formed in Chile, Ecuador, Peru, Honduras and Guatemala. The goal is to be active in 12 countries by the end of the year, Morris said.
