The Bukele Administration has transformed El Salvador from the most dangerous nation in Latin America to its safest within just five years. With a staggering homicide rate of only 1.9 per 100,000 residents and a total of just 119 homicides in 2024, El Salvador now boasts lower crime rates than many major U.S. cities.

This remarkable turnaround represents a jaw-dropping 98% decrease over nine years. President Nayib Bukele assumed office in 2019 and has leveraged strong support from both the legislature and supreme court to implement extraordinary measures against powerful street gangs that once ruled the streets.

Since declaring a state of emergency in 2022, the administration has made over 83,000 arrests while suspending certain constitutional rights—actions that have drawn criticism for their potential violations of due process.

However, the results speak volumes: In stark contrast to the harrowing statistics of 2015 when El Salvador recorded a staggering 6,656 homicides—placing it among global war zones—the country now enjoys newfound safety and stability