Juan Carlos Calleja Hakker (born 11 February 1976) is a Salvadoran businessman and former politician.

[6] In December 2017, Calleja was one of three pre-candidates, including businessmen Javier Simán and Gustavo López Davidson, to be confirmed by ARENA to participate in the party's primary election.

[8] On 18 July 2018, Carmen Aída Lazo of the National Coalition Party (PCN) was confirmed as Calleja's running mate.

[9] On 26 July 2018, ARENA, the PCN, the Christian Democratic Party (PDC), and Salvadoran Democracy (DS) formed a coalition for the presidency with Calleja and Lazo as its presidential and vice presidential candidates, respectively; the coalition was called the Alliance for a New Country.

[10] Throughout the election campaign, Calleja polled in second place after Grand Alliance for National Unity (GANA) candidate Nayib Bukele.

Calleja stated that he would promote economic growth by aiming to create 300,000 jobs and develop the country's tourism, agriculture, and technology industries.

[16] Although he had previously stated that he believed he would win in the first round,[13] Calleja came in second place behind Bukele, who won an outright majority and was elected as president.