In an effort to disrupt the peaceful transition of power, El Salvador's authorities have successfully dismantled a plot to plant bombs across the country, coinciding with President Nayib Bukele's inauguration on Saturday. The National Police of El Salvador revealed that the plan involved former leftist guerrillas, referred to as "veterans" of the country's civil war from 1980 to 1992.

Law enforcement officials shared images of small explosive devices equipped with fuses as well as sacks of ammonium nitrate on the police force's social media platforms. These explosives were discovered during raids, with specific targets including gasoline stations, supermarkets, and government buildings. Raiding a former rebel stronghold called Guazapa, located on the outskirts of the capital city of San Salvador, yielded some of the confiscated explosives.

Authorities pinned the blame for the plot on a group known as the "Salvadoran Insurrection Brigade," describing it as a shadowy force. Additionally, former FMLN party congressman José Santos Melara, who leads the national association of FMLN war veterans, was apprehended for allegedly financing the plan. At least seven other individuals were also detained in connection with the plot.

In response to Melara's arrest, the Block of Popular Resistance and Rebellion, commonly known as the BPR, denounced it as an arbitrary act of political persecution. The BPR demanded his immediate release and openly declared their refusal to acknowledge President Bukele's legitimacy, referring to him as an unconstitutional and illegitimate leader set to assume office on June 1. The group announced their intent to enter a new phase of resistance against Bukele's presidency.

President Nayib Bukele, who triumphed in El Salvador's presidential elections earlier this year despite constitutional constraints against reelection, has garnered both praise and criticism. While his aggressive anti-gang campaigns and massive arrests have been faulted for alleged human rights abuses, the supposed bomb plot may be linked to the 1992 peace accords that ended the country's civil war and granted former rebels an opportunity to participate in politics.

Bukele's actions, including targeting his critics and approving reforms that effectively reduced the number of seats in Congress, have raised concerns over the country's fragile democracy. Nonetheless, the president's strong stance on combating gangs has won him significant popularity among the Salvadoran population, as gang violence once pervaded numerous neighborhoods, exhibiting extortion and brutality.

By securing not only his reelection but also a super majority for his party in Congress, President Bukele will face few obstacles to his governance, reducing checks on his authority. As El Salvador remains vigilant against potential threats to the nation's stability, the thwarting of this recent bomb plot underscores the importance of safeguarding democracy, maintaining peace, and upholding the rule of law.