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El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele maintains significant public backing, even as the nation’s pioneering Bitcoin policy demonstrates limited acceptance among the populace.
Key Takeaways:
- Bukele enjoys a 91.9% approval rating, primarily due to enhanced security and reduced crime rates.
- Citizen adoption of Bitcoin remains minimal despite its designation as legal tender.
- El Salvador continues to accumulate Bitcoin while engaging in negotiations with the IMF.
A recent survey released by Salvadoran newspaper La Prensa Gráfica revealed that 91.9% of participants approve of Bukele’s tenure.
Among the 1,200 individuals surveyed, 62.8% indicated strong approval of the president, whereas only 1.8% voiced strong disapproval. Bukele responded with sarcasm on X, stating, “So now they’re 1.8%?”
Crime Reduction Fuels Bukele Support Despite Bitcoin Experiment
The findings imply that the administration’s popularity is largely influenced by domestic policies rather than cryptocurrency initiatives.
The poll indicated that improved security conditions were the primary reason for public support.
Since assuming office in 2019, Bukele has implemented a vigorous crackdown on gangs and established the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT), a large facility intended to detain suspected gang members.
Homicide rates have significantly decreased compared to prior years, a change frequently highlighted by residents as the government’s most notable success.
¿O sea que ahora son el 1.8%? pic.twitter.com/TG9Bi4jhJ1
— Nayib Bukele (@nayibbukele) February 5, 2026
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In contrast, the president’s Bitcoin initiative seems to have minimal impact on public sentiment. Only 2.2% of respondents identified Bitcoin as the most significant failure of Bukele’s six-year administration, and the cryptocurrency was scarcely referenced in the survey.
This subdued response reflects a broader trend: although the country made history in 2021 by adopting Bitcoin as legal tender and mandating businesses to accept it where feasible, everyday utilization has remained limited.
Bukele himself recognized this gap in a 2024 interview with TIME, stating that the project did not achieve the extensive adoption that authorities had initially anticipated.
The policy has also faced criticism from international lenders, particularly the International Monetary Fund, which has consistently cautioned about risks to fiscal and financial stability.
Despite these concerns, El Salvador has not retreated from its Bitcoin accumulation strategy.
Government representatives assert that the country has continued to purchase one Bitcoin daily since 2022, a strategy Bukele has publicly committed to uphold. Online trackers associated with the government’s Bitcoin office indicate that national reserves are still increasing.
San Salvador recently finalized a financing agreement with the IMF that included scaling back certain crypto-related initiatives, but the administration has indicated that purchases for state reserves will persist.
IMF Presses El Salvador as Chivo Wallet Sale Looms
In December of the previous year, the IMF stated that its ongoing discussions with El Salvador regarding Bitcoin policy are centered on enhancing transparency, safeguarding public funds, and mitigating financial risks.
As part of these discussions, authorities are negotiating the potential sale or discontinuation of the government-operated Chivo wallet, which has encountered complaints about fraud, identity theft, and technical issues since its launch.
Officials had previously indicated that the app could be phased out while private crypto wallets continue to function in the country.
El Salvador secured a $1.4 billion IMF loan in 2024 following tensions related to its Bitcoin adoption. The IMF’s latest review highlighted stronger-than-expected economic performance, projecting real GDP growth of approximately 4% this year with optimistic prospects for the future.
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