Bukele Marks Unprecedented Achievement: 900 Murder-Free Days in El Salvador

El Salvador's President, Nayib Bukele, has heralded a significant milestone in the nation's battle against crime, announcing 900 days without a single homicide since he took office in 2019. "As of May 4th, we can declare that we've reached 900 murder-free days since assuming the presidency. For context, the previous administration never had a single day without homicides, and the one before that had only one day," he shared on his X account. "900 days where Salvadoran families didn't have to mourn a loved one lost to violence," the Presidency noted in another tweet.

This achievement is hailed by the Salvadoran government as a historic moment for a country that once topped global charts for lethal violence. Back in 2015, El Salvador's homicide rate exceeded 100 per 100,000 inhabitants, one of the highest worldwide. Today, that figure has dramatically dropped to just 1.9, according to official data corroborated by the UN.

The Role of the Exceptional Measures in Crime Reduction

While the reduction in crime rates is credited to a suite of policies launched with the Territorial Control Plan in 2019, the bulk of homicide-free days—748 of the 900—have been recorded under the exceptional measures in place since March 2022. This extraordinary measure, granting extensive powers to the executive and security forces, has faced criticism from human rights organizations but gained approval from many Salvadorans fatigued by decades of violence.

Under this regime, mass arrests have been carried out without warrants. Government figures indicate that over 85,000 alleged gang members have been detained since its inception. Seizures of weapons, money, and drugs have surged, while traditional gangs like MS-13 and Barrio 18 have significantly diminished their operational capacity.

Symbol of Change: The Mega Prison

A prominent component of this strategy is the so-called Center for the Confinement of Terrorism (CECOT), a mega-prison built in the rural area of Tecoluca, designed to house 40,000 inmates. Inaugurated at the beginning of 2023, it specifically targets high-risk gang members. In March of that year, Bukele shared footage of 2,000 tattooed, barefoot, and shackled inmates being transferred there, a move that elicited both support and outrage internationally. "This will be their new home for decades, where they can no longer harm the population," he declared.

A Nation Divided: Praise and Caution

Bukele's strategies have received widespread support in El Salvador, as reflected in his overwhelming re-election victory in 2023. However, organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have reported arbitrary detentions, torture, and inhumane conditions in prisons. Despite these concerns, Bukele's image as a tough-on-crime leader has resonated beyond national borders. His approach is often highlighted by right-wing politicians in Latin America and the United States, with the U.S. President offering explicit support.

A Remarkable Transformation

El Salvador has shifted from being considered the most violent country in the Western Hemisphere to, in Bukele's words, "the safest in America." In 2023, the nation recorded just 154 homicides, a figure unimaginable just a few years back. The achievement is undeniable, yet the debate over the democratic costs of this transformation remains ongoing.

In a global context where populism and authoritarianism often accompany promises of order and security, El Salvador stands as a case study that divides opinions. What is unarguable, for now, is the outcome: fewer deaths, increased control, and a leader who continues to make headlines.