From April to August 2022, El Salvador has experienced the safest five months in history due to the sustained reduction in violent deaths and other high-impact crimes nationwide as a result of the Territorial Control Plan and the implementation of the exceptional regime as of March 27, the date on which the government of the president, Nayib Bukele, reinforced the frontal fight against the gangs.
In that period also, Salvadorans enjoyed a sustained decrease in crimes such as disappearances, theft, robbery, extortion, and vehicle theft that afflicted the honest population for more than 30 years.
«The difference from what was before in the security institutions, at this time, is the leadership of President Nayib Bukele. He has been able to integrate institutions. Each minister is mature enough to recognize that the work is not individual. We understand that the only way to move the country forward is to all go in the same direction,” said the Minister of National Defense, Francis Merino Monroy.
Between January 1 and August 21, the security authorities registered 494 homicides, 36% less than the 767 reported in the same period of 2021; If the current rate continues, El Salvador would close this year with 774 violent deaths, for a rate of 12.2 murders per 100,000 inhabitants.
18 more days with no homicides
The months in which there have been the most days without homicides in 2022 are: April, May, June, July, and so far in August, which reports 18 days without homicidal violence. After last Tuesday the 23rd, there were no murders in the entire country. If the reported security levels continue, August would become the safest month, surpassing July.
“Yesterday, Tuesday, August 23, no homicide was recorded in El Salvador. #WeContinue to lock up criminals so they don’t cause good Salvadorans to mourn again. #GuerraContraPandillas », the director of Penal Centers, Osiris Luna, reacted on his Twitter account.
August presents a peculiarity since there are a total of 10 consecutive days without records of homicides [from 10 to 19]. It should be noted that so far during the Bukele administration, there have been a total of 182 days without crimes.
The significant decrease began in April 2022 when, for the first time, 13 days were reached without homicides on a national scale. Of these, six were consecutive. In May, Salvadorans noticed even more the results of the security strategy and had 17 days without murders. Later, June totaled 15 days without homicides, while in July there were 21 days without violent deaths.
The capture of the terrorists has a direct effect on the economy. The carriers affirm that extortion from gang members has been reduced by 95%. In addition, small business owners that operate in the neighborhoods confirm that they have also stopped paying extortion.