Once notorious for its sky-high murder rates and brutal gang violence, El Salvador has undergone a dramatic transformation under President Nayib Bukele's iron-fisted rule. His uncompromising crackdown on crime—including sweeping arrests and the construction of sprawling mega-prisons—has slashed homicide rates and prompted the US to declare the country safer than Britain for travellers.
The Gang Crackdown That Changed a Nation
Bukele's government launched an all-out war on gangs like MS-13 and Barrio 18, deploying military forces and suspending civil liberties under a state of emergency. Over 75,000 suspected gang members have been imprisoned, many without trial, in a controversial but effective campaign.
Inside the Infamous Mega-Prisons
The centrepiece of this strategy is the 40,000-capacity Terrorism Confinement Center, a dystopian facility where inmates live in regimented silence, wearing identical uniforms and facing 24/7 surveillance. Human rights groups condemn the conditions, but Salvadorans overwhelmingly support the measures.
From Murder Capital to Tourist Destination?
The results speak for themselves—El Salvador's homicide rate has plummeted from 106 per 100,000 people in 2015 to just 2.4 in 2023. The US State Department now rates it safer than Britain for American travellers, a stunning reversal for what was once considered the hemisphere's most dangerous country.
The Controversial Trade-Off
While violent crime has dramatically decreased, critics warn of widespread human rights abuses, arbitrary detentions, and the erosion of democratic norms. Bukele's suspension of due process and consolidation of power raise concerns about the long-term stability of El Salvador's institutions.
As other nations grappling with gang violence watch closely, El Salvador presents a troubling but compelling case study: how much freedom are citizens willing to sacrifice for security?
