From "Murder Capital" to Model of Security: Bukele’s El Salvador Transformation
Max Keiser’s post spotlights the dramatic transformation of El Salvador under President Nayib Bukele, who took office in 2019 when the country’s homicide rate stood at 38 per 100,000—one of the highest in the world. By 2024, that figure had plummeted to just 1.9 per 100,000, making El Salvador one of the safest countries in the Western Hemisphere. This turnaround is largely credited to Bukele’s aggressive Territorial Control Plan, which deployed police and military to gang-dominated areas and led to the arrest of over 85,000 suspected gang members.
While the strategy has restored safety and garnered Bukele immense popularity—he won re-election in 2024 with 85% of the vote and enjoys approval ratings above 90%—it has also sparked international criticism. Human rights groups and media outlets have raised concerns about due process, mass incarcerations, and the erosion of civil liberties, with reports of arbitrary arrests and limited legal protections for detainees.
The satirical book title “From Murder Capital to Karens in 6 Years” captures this shift, humorously suggesting that El Salvador has moved from grappling with extreme violence to dealing with more mundane, first-world complaints—reflecting both the scale of change and Bukele’s continued popularity.
Max Keiser’s endorsement is notable given his role as a Bitcoin advocate and advisor to Bukele during El Salvador’s adoption of Bitcoin as legal tender in 2021. However, despite the bold move, a 2025 World Bank report found that only 1.5% of transactions in El Salvador are conducted in Bitcoin, indicating limited mainstream adoption.
