#ElSalvador | President @nayibbukele’s confrontation with the Congress over the financing for his security plan has the country on edge. The president has ordered Congress to come to session on Sunday, called for a protest the same day, and talks about “insurrection.” 
@nayibbukele It’s the first time in years a president has called for an “extraordinary session” of Congress, and the only time *demanding* members vote on a funding bill. He is basing this demand on Article 167 of the Constitution.
@nayibbukele Salvadoran President Bukele has threatened members of Congress with “consequences” if they don’t meet what he has called “their constitutional obligation.”
@nayibbukele Bukele has also cited Article 87 of the Constitution, which recognizes “the right of the people to insurrection” and encouraged citizens to congregate tomorrow around the congressional building at the hour of the session.
@nayibbukele Members of Congress @AsambleaSV have refused. They maintain that the vote is not urgent. Article 167 of the Constitution specifies that an extraordinary session can be called “when the interests of the Republic demand it.”
@nayibbukele @AsambleaSV The pressure began on Friday when Bukele recalled security teams for members of Congress. On Saturday, though security teams were reinstated, soldiers were on the street surrounding the entrance to Congress.
@nayibbukele @AsambleaSV Congressmember Dina Argueta of the FMLN noted Friday night that officers of PPI were recalling her security detail and that she was warned she would be arrested if she resisted the call to session. Various members denounced the move as a means of intimidation.
@nayibbukele @AsambleaSV These moves over the last 48 hours have sparked a debate in El Salvador about the scope of presidential powers, and the possibility that this is an abuse of such power. Civil society organizations and trade unions have come out immediately against the actions.
@nayibbukele @AsambleaSV Since he came into office, Bukele, who won elections in 2019 over the 2 traditional parties and has no parliamentary representation, has referred to Congress as an obstacle for achieving both his plan and the popular will. El Salvador will hold congressional elections in 2021.
@nayibbukele @AsambleaSV @nayibbukele has been pushing members of Congress for weeks to approve a $109 million dollar funding bill.
-$46.9 are earmarked for “strategic mobility,” two helicopters and a boat.
-$25.9 are for infrastructure and surveillance cameras.
-$46.9 are earmarked for “strategic mobility,” two helicopters and a boat.
-$25.9 are for infrastructure and surveillance cameras.
@nayibbukele @AsambleaSV The funding bill is the 3rd phase of Bukele’s #PlanControlTerritorial, the gov's principal security strategy. Since Bukele took office in June of 2019, the homicide rate in El Salvador has dropped by more than 50%.
@nayibbukele @AsambleaSV El Faro has reached out to various public employees. They have confirmed that their bosses have ordered them to show up tomorrow afternoon to show their support for Bukele’s extraordinary session.
@nayibbukele @AsambleaSV The Salvadoran Minister of Labor, @RolandoCastroSv, took to social media today to call on his party members, announcing, “tomorrow at 3pm begins the total democratization of our country.”
