El Salvador, once notorious for its rampant gang violence, has undergone a radical transformation under President Nayib Bukele's hardline policies. The country's brutal crackdown on crime has not only slashed murder rates but also led the US to declare it safer than Britain in its latest travel advisory.
A Nation Transformed
Just two years ago, El Salvador was considered one of the most dangerous countries in the world. Today, its capital San Salvador boasts lower homicide rates than many major Western cities. This dramatic turnaround stems from Bukele's controversial state of emergency, implemented in March 2022 following a bloody weekend of gang killings.
The Iron Fist Approach
The government's strategy includes:
- Mass arrests of suspected gang members
- Extended pre-trial detentions
- Construction of a massive 40,000-capacity prison
- Severe restrictions on civil liberties
While human rights groups condemn the measures as draconian, Salvadorans overwhelmingly support them after decades of gang terror.
International Reactions
The US State Department's updated travel advisory now rates El Salvador as safer than Britain for American tourists. This surprising assessment considers:
- Violent crime statistics
- Terrorism threats
- Petty crime rates
- Police effectiveness
British officials have questioned the comparison, pointing to different crime reporting methodologies between nations.
The Price of Security
Experts warn that El Salvador's gains may come at significant cost:
- Over 70,000 arrests since 2022
- Numerous reports of wrongful detentions
- Erosion of judicial independence
- Concentration of presidential power
As Bukele prepares for re-election, the world watches whether this security model can be sustained without permanent damage to democratic institutions.
