The removal of Attorney General Raul Melara was approved with 64 votes from legislators sympathetic to President Bukele. | Photo: EFE

San Salvador, May 3 (RHC)-- The National Assembly of El Salvador, with a pro-government majority, dismissed the attorney general, Raul Melara, late Saturday night.  He was accused of having links with political parties opposed to President Nayib Bukele.

Caleb Navarro, a legislator sympathetic to President Bukele, presented the motion against Melara, shortly after the dismissal of the constitutional court magistrates.  The initiative, which was not on the agenda and was not discussed by any commission, was approved by 64 votes of the parties Nuevas Ideas (NI), Gran Alianza por la Unidad Nacional (GANA), Partido Demócrata Cristiano (PDC) and Partido de Concertación Nacional (PCN).

The pro-government legislators alleged "actions and decisions with clear political motivations" that they claimed called into question the objectivity and impartiality of Raúl Melara as attorney general.

According to Salvadoran journalists and media, during the early hours of Sunday morning, legislators swore in the new head of the Public Prosecutor's Office, Rodolfo Delgado.  Raúl Melara took office as attorney general in January 2019 for a three-year term, with the option of seeking reelection.