How Nayib Bukele Served El Salvador

When Nayib Bukele took the presidency of El Salvador in 2019, many people weren't quite sure what to make of it. He was younger than most world leaders, wore casual attire with baseball caps and leather jackets, and spoke more like an Instagram user rather than from behind a podium. What happened next wasn't just a politics mood swing—it was an actual swing in the way the country itself was operated. His style made headlines quickly, particularly regarding his anti-crime crackdown on gangs, drive to embrace digital innovation, and efforts to consolidate control of his own government's agenda.

The Nationwide Crackdown On Gangs Changed El Salvador’s Crime Rates In A Way That Shocked Everyone Including The Locals

One of the most significant and most controversial actions that Bukele took was his campaign against gangs. For decades, murders were rampant in El Salvador with the high rates being primarily traced to violent gangs MS-13 and Barrio 18. In 2015, the country had one of the world's highest homicide rates with an estimated 103 murders per 100,000 people. It's a rate that instilled fear into daily life.

Bukele launched a sweeping crackdown in 2022, declaring an emergency and jailing more than 75,000 suspected gang members. His government opened up a mega prison called the Terrorism Confinement Center that could accommodate 40,000 prisoners. Things have since dramatically shifted. In 2023, there were just 2.4 murders for every 100,000 people in El Salvador, one of the lowest rates in Latin America. That transformation wasn't without noise—human rights activists complained about mass arrests without adherence to due process—but most Salvadoreans appreciated it because they felt secure strolling down the streets in their own neighborhoods for the first time in years.

 

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The Bold Move To Make Bitcoin Legal Currency Turned Heads Around The World And Made El Salvador A Topic Of Global Tech Talk

In 2021, the world was shocked once more when Bukele legalized Bitcoin as an official currency in El Salvador. The country became the world's first to do so. His intention was to use digital currency to benefit those individuals who don't have access to banks in El Salvador and make remittances cheaper and more efficient. Remittance is an important source in El Salvador and amounts to over 20% of the GDP there. Remittances from abroad by individuals living overseas contributed more than $7.5 billion alone in 2022.

Bukele introduced the Chivo Wallet, an app state-backed with free promotions. Notably making its initial release with technical issues and mixed opinions, it put the nation into the spotlight among global crypto investors and economists. Some called it genius; others called it irresponsible; in any event, it put El Salvador in the midst of an experiment with world finance.

The Way Bukele Took Over The Government Branches Sparked Debate About Democracy But Also Made His Power More Direct

Almost immediately on taking power, Bukele made several moves to consolidate greater control of institutions in El Salvador. In 2021, his own party Nuevas Ideas won an overwhelming majority in the Legislative Assembly. Later in 2021, the Assembly voted to oust all the judges to the Constitutional Court and the Attorney General and replace them with individuals who are regarded as loyal to Bukele.

This allowed him to legislate quickly and with little resistance. Critics protested that this action put democracy in jeopardy and could result in one-man rule. Bukele counterargued that previous governments were corrupt and dysfunctional—and that radical transformation was called for. In any event, his presidency became more centralized and decisions began to occur with greater speed.

 

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Public Support For Bukele Has Stayed Surprisingly High Even When His Actions Got Global Criticism

All the controversy aside, Bukele’s ratings are off the charts. In early 2024, more than 85% nationwide supported him according to local polling firms such as CID Gallup. In an area where leaders are used to being protested against or impeached, Bukele has remained well-liked. Others attribute his success to making the streets more secure and to talking to the people rather than just talking to the elites.

His social media presence has worked in his favor too. His use of platforms like X (formerly Twitter), tweeting both in Spanish and English and making announcements directly on them, and his use of memes makes it less like typical politics and more like something younger people will engage with and that will count in a nation where more than 50% of the population is under 30 years old.

The Presidency Of Nayib Bukele Has Reshaped El Salvador, Blending Fearless Control With Unmatched Popularity

Nayib Bukele’s way of serving El Salvador has been far from boring. Whether it’s locking up thousands of gang members, making Bitcoin part of the economy, or shaking up the courts, he’s pushed boundaries every step of the way.