What Has Nayib Bukele Done?

Since he took power in 2019, Nayib Bukele has made El Salvador one of the most scrutinized nations on the globe. Whether it's news about crime, bitcoin, or his all-black attire and backward hats, there's no denying that people are taking notice. Behind the posture is an agenda and set of decisions that have actually reshaped the nation's operation, however. Some consider him a hero, others consider him an affront to democracy—but either way no one's overlooking him.

The Way Nayib Bukele Took On Gang Violence Created A Level Of Public Safety El Salvador Hasn’t Seen In Decades

For years, El Salvador was considered one of the most dangerous countries in the world. In 2015, the murder rate was around 103 per 100,000 people—that’s higher than most war zones. The problem was mostly linked to gangs like MS-13 and Barrio 18, which controlled neighborhoods and terrorized communities with extortion, drug trafficking, and killings.

Bukele launched a full-blown crackdown starting in March 2022. He declared a state of emergency that gave police more power to arrest suspected gang members, even without full court orders. Over 75,000 people were arrested in just two years. He also built the Terrorism Confinement Center, a massive prison designed to hold up to 40,000 inmates.

The numbers show a big shift. By the end of 2023, the murder rate dropped to just 2.4 per 100,000—one of the lowest in Latin America. Most Salvadorans now say they feel safer walking around, especially in areas that used to be considered no-go zones.

Bukele Turned El Salvador Into A Bitcoin Experiment That Sparked Worldwide Reactions From Supporters And Critics

In September 2021, President Bukele made it official by legalizing Bitcoin in El Salvador and making the country the world's first to do so. It would be helpful to those who don't own bank accounts and would cut the expense to send remittances, which make up most of the economy in El Salvador. Remittances alone accounted for more than $7.5 billion in 2022—over 20% of the country's GDP.

The government released the Chivo Wallet app and distributed $30 in Bitcoin to its people who installed it and began installing ATMs that support Bitcoin nationwide. Bukele spent millions of dollars' worth of public funds to purchase Bitcoin and asserted that El Salvador would construct its own bitcoin city powered by volcanoes.

The reaction was divided. Crypto enthusiasts adored it. The International Monetary Fund warned against it. And some Salvadorans had difficulty with the app or rejected the use of digital money. But the decision made El Salvador part of an international dialogue around crypto—and gave the country an altogether new reputation in tech circles.

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The Moves Bukele Made To Reshape Government Structures Gave Him More Power Than Any Recent Salvadoran Leader Has Held

Once his own Nuevas Ideas party won decisively in the 2021 legislative elections, Bukele did not hesitate to shake up the system. Among the very first actions his new legislature took was to replace all the judges on the Constitutional Court with individuals perceived to be closer to Bukele himself. The same applied to the Attorney General.

This enabled Bukele to make laws more quickly and consolidate control over the nation’s legal system. In 2024, an approved constitutional amendment by the new court even permitted him to stand for re-election to a second term when that used to be prohibited. Critics call it authoritarianism, but supporters argue it's required to move on from the corrupting politics and languid progress associated with the previous system.

Public Support For Bukele Has Stayed High Throughout All His Controversial Decisions And His Approval Ratings Keep Climbing

Despite the criticism, the popularity of Bukele is not to be overlooked. CID Gallup and other polling institutions state that Bukele has maintained an approval rating above 80% since 2022. That places him among the most popular leaders not only in Latin America, but anywhere in the world.

Many support him because there is the perception among them that he makes them feel more secure and that he does actually make things happen. International critics may question democracy or human rights, but within El Salvador it is evident people are still behind him.

The List Of Things Nayib Bukele Has Done Shows That His Presidency Has Been Anything But Normal And People Are Still Watching What Comes Next

Whether it’s fighting crime, plunging into crypto, reshaping the justice system, or fracturing political norms, Nayib Bukele has accomplished more in several years than most politicians do in an entire decade. His decisions are reshaping how El Salvador operates and is perceived internationally. And although people disagree, the effect is genuine—and far from finished.

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Business Address: Chicago, IL