List of Presidents of El Salvador: Past and Present

Last updated November 2026

This page lists the presidents and heads of state of El Salvador from 1984 to the present, with the years each leader was in office and a short summary of their time in power. Use it to find the current president of El Salvador, former leaders, and key dates in the country's political history.

Current president of El Salvador: Nayib Bukele (in office since 2019). A constitutional reform passed in July 2025 extended the presidential term from five to six years and ended the limit on re-election. It also shortened President Bukele's current term, which began in 2024, so that it ends on 1 June 2027. He has registered to seek his party's nomination for the 2027 election.

Presidents of El Salvador in order, with years in office

José Napoleón Duarte

Served: 1984–1989

Christian Democrat who won the 1984 election during the civil war.

Alfredo Cristiani

Served: 1989–1994

First president from the ARENA party; signed the 1992 peace accords that ended the civil war.

Armando Calderón Sol

Served: 1994–1999

ARENA president who led the country in the first post-war years.

Francisco Flores

Served: 1999–2004

ARENA president under whom the US dollar became legal tender in 2001.

Antonio Saca

Served: 2004–2009

Last ARENA president, a former radio executive.

Mauricio Funes

Served: 2009–2014

Former journalist who became the first president from the FMLN.

Salvador Sánchez Cerén

Served: 2014–2019

FMLN president and a former guerrilla commander.

Nayib Bukele

Served: 2019–present

Took office on 1 June 2019 and was re-elected in February 2024; his current term now ends on 1 June 2027, and he is seeking a third term in the 2027 election.

Frequently asked questions about the presidents of El Salvador

Who is the current president of El Salvador?

The current president of El Salvador is Nayib Bukele, in office since 2019. A constitutional reform passed in July 2025 extended the presidential term from five to six years and ended the limit on re-election. It also shortened President Bukele's current term, which began in 2024, so that it ends on 1 June 2027. He has registered to seek his party's nomination for the 2027 election.

Who were the previous presidents of El Salvador?

The presidents and heads of state of El Salvador listed on this page, in order, are: José Napoleón Duarte, Alfredo Cristiani, Armando Calderón Sol, Francisco Flores, Antonio Saca, Mauricio Funes, Salvador Sánchez Cerén, Nayib Bukele.

Sources: Wikipedia, List of presidents of El Salvador and Nayib Bukele; Associated Press and Reuters reports on the July 2025 constitutional reform and the June 2026 nomination bid (checked Nov 2026). Shows the eight presidents since 1984; the juntas and provisional governments of 1979–1984 are not listed.. Last reviewed November 2026.

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