Nayib Bukele's Governance Approach
Nayib Bukele, the current President of El Salvador, has gained significant attention from the international community for his widescale crackdown on gang and crime activity. His tough policies include enacting a state of emergency, including increasing the militarisation of local law enforcement until the threat from large cartels and other drug gangs comes to an end. During his tenure, over 70,000 gang members have been detained, significantly reducing gang related violence and murders. These actions have been praised significantly by the people of his nation however, have been condemned by other nations, mainly for concerns over human rights abuse and overcrowded prisons. Despite this, Bukele enjoys the majority domestic approval from a people that are exhausted with decades of gang violence and political corruption.
The Presidents appeal comes from his status as a leader who challenges traditional models of governance. He is able to portray himself as a modern, results driven leader and is someone that is very easily able to communicate with the people of the nation he leads. However, critics argue that his lack of transparency when it comes to public spending and reduced funding for essential services like healthcare, in favour of increased security budgets, raises concerns about what his future as president really looks like.
The Gang Crackdown
The main piece of Bukele's administration is the "Territorial Control Plan”. This plan is aimed at dismantling El Salvador's large and deadly gang networks. The initiative has led to a 56% reduction in the national murder rate which marks the country’s lowest level of violent crime in decades. Bukele's construction of the world's largest prison for gang members further reflects his zero-tolerance approach to cartels and their foot soldiers.
However, this transformation has come at a cost. The arrests have led to allegations of innocent people being detained without the proper process, including individuals targeted only for their associations with gang members. Human rights organizations have raised alarms about prison conditions, arguing that there is significant overcrowding and abuses. While El Salvador’s streets are safer, the questions remain about whether this safety has been achieved at the expense of democratic norms.
Economic Upliftment
El Salvador’s improved security landscape has allowed for large economic benefits. With gang extortion significantly reduced, local businesses have reported increased profitability, and tourism has begun to increase. International visitors are going to areas previously deemed too dangerous, contributing to a rise in economic activity. Bukele's government has also pushed forward with pro-business reforms, attracting foreign investment and allowing for an environment of economic recovery.
Despite this, challenges are still prevalent. Despite the gains, the country has faced setbacks, such as inflation and food insecurity, alongside the controversial policies like the adoption of Bitcoin. Critics argue that while Bukele's emphasis on security has attracted attention, deeper issues in the economy, such as unequal wealth distribution and reliance on remittances (money transfers from Salvadorians outside of El Salvador), remain unaddressed.