“We concluded on May 10, 2023 with zero homicides in the entire country. That means 365 days without murders, a whole year”. This was confirmed by the President of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele. But what does that mean?

At first glance, the announcement of success in a country dominated by gangs, where statistics spoke of 105 murders per 100,000 inhabitants (2015) and an average of “30 murders per day”. The government, whose leader is increasingly strengthening his reputation at the international level, keeps the data in reserve because of the risk to “national security”. Local press and institutions question the impossibility of accessing them for verification.

According to the authorities of El Salvador, everything is a consequence of their security plan, which is not without controversy and for which there is a general state of emergency extended thirteen times to achieve territorial control, after three days of escalating violence (in March 2022) in which 87 people died .

Human Rights Watch mentions that the new announcement would apply to 365 non-consecutive days. Bukele’s strategy has been widely accepted, but has also drawn criticism from organizations that warn it remains suspended constitutional guarantees that allow administrative detention of three to fifteen days or interception of communications without the need for a judge’s approval. In addition, Amnesty International says more than 130 have died “in state custody”.

Faced with criminal acts, the regime must take measures to curb criminal violence. Sovereignty is viewed with respect, and governments in the region are only wary of the possibility of carrying out actions similar to those of Bukele. The conditions and problems of each country are different and the security plan must be adapted to each of the realities, beyond the successful experiences that undoubtedly must be analyzed and repeated what the laws and own situations allow. (OR)