El Salvador's Bukele says he'll obey high court on military

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador (AP) — President Nayib Bukele said Tuesday he will obey a Supreme Court order that he stop pressuring lawmakers to approve a $109 million loan he’s seeking to bolster El Salvador’s fight against gangs, lowering tensions after military and police were deployed to the congress over the weekend.

“Although we do not agree with what was resolved by (the court) ... we will obey the order that was issued,” Bukele said in a statement.

The ruling Monday evening ordered the president not to use security forces in “activities contrary to established constitutional ends,” after he went to the Legislative Assembly building the previous day accompanied by hundreds of supporters as well as heavily armed officers and troops, including some special forces and sharpshooters who were posted on rooftops.

The scene provoked criticism both home and abroad, and calls for Bukele to respect democratic institutions.

The Supreme Court also ordered the defense minister and the head of national police not to deploy their forces for activities outside what’s in their legal purview and demanded the Council of Ministers end efforts to call an extraordinary session of congress to consider approval of the loan.

Bukele had called on lawmakers to attend such a session Sunday, but only 22 of the 84 members appeared. Lawmakers have said they want more time to consider the plan and they want more details before voting.

Bukele’s initial response was to tweet that “the system protects itself. And that is how things remained the same,” though he later issued the statement saying he would heed the ruling.

“I think it is very positive that they agreed to obey the rule of law. Fortunately they have reconsidered and that gives the country peace,” said analyst...