The CIDOB opinion 717 from May 2022 discusses the impact of Nayib Bukele's presidency on violence and insecurity in El Salvador. The country experienced a significant spike in homicides in March, leading to over 80 murders within 72 hours, an anomaly considering the average of three murders daily. This situation led to a state of exception, with constitutional liberties suspended, and more than 27,000 individuals accused of terrorism being incarcerated.
Bukele's administration, taking office in 2019, marked a shift in El Salvador's political landscape by ending decades of bipartisan rule. The inability of traditional political forces to address major issues like insecurity and inequality had exhausted the patience of Salvadorans, leading to a surge in support for his project. Bukele has successfully managed the pandemic and positioned the country in the global digital economy, significantly reducing violence indicators such as homicides.
However, while his security policies, encapsulated in the known Plan Control Territorial, have been effective in reducing homicides, they may not be sustainable without a long-term strategy and comprehensive approach. Critics argue that these "securitizing" measures could lead to a reduction in democratic quality, as seen in other Latin American contexts where similar strategies have failed to curb crime in the long term.
The decrease in homicides might also be attributed to an agreement between the government and major gangs, although this is a controversial claim. The U.S. government has accused members of the executive of negotiating with imprisoned gang leaders. Bukele's administration has maintained a strong stance against crime, labeling it as terrorism, which has led to an increase in arrests but has also resulted in a deterioration of democratic quality, particularly in terms of media freedom.
Despite the majority of Salvadorans supporting Bukele's policies, there is concern about the erosion of democratic institutions. While the state of exception has reinforced his personal approach to communication, it has also led to a crackdown on journalists and organizations critical of his administration.
In conclusion, Bukele's approach to tackling violence has shown some success, but at a high cost to democracy. Without addressing the root causes of crime and inequality and implementing democratic reforms, El Salvador risks a vicious cycle of violence and state repression.
