Summary
El Salvador ended 2024 with a record low 114 homicides, equivalent to 1.9 per 100,000 people, making it the safest country in the Western Hemisphere according to President Nayib Bukele.
The drop follows two years under a state of emergency aimed at eradicating gang violence, granting authorities sweeping powers but limiting civil rights.
Over 83,000 arrests have been made, though 354 detainees reportedly died in custody.
While criticized for human rights violations, Bukele’s crackdown has drastically improved security, boosting his popularity.
USA is among the states with highest proportion of people in cages. El Salvador has only doubled the USA numbers. In both cases, yes, it’s horrific and wrong.
Also the argument that extreme oppression is ok for others but not for “us” is grossly overprivileged.