El Salvador has made history by achieving the safest month ever recorded in the country. April 2023 saw 24 days without any reported homicides on a national scale, making it the safest month in the nation’s history.
The National Civil Police (PNC) reported that January, February, and March of this year recorded 22, 21, and 20 days without homicides, respectively. However, April surpassed those records with an impressive 24 days.
The reason for the significant improvement in El Salvador’s security can be attributed to President Nayib Bukele’s successful security strategy, the Territorial Control Plan (PCT), which has been in effect since June 2019. The PCT was reinforced in late March 2022 when the government was granted legal permission by the Legislative Assembly to combat gangs directly through the implementation of a state of exception.
President Bukele expressed his gratitude on Twitter, stating that «April 2023 has become the safest month in the entire history of our country. Thank God.»
Gustavo Villatoro, the Minister of Justice and Public Security, also celebrated the achievement, declaring that «with 24 days without homicides, April 2023 becomes the safest month in history for Salvadorans.»
Of the ten homicides that occurred last month, nine have been solved, and those responsible are already being held accountable for their crimes. «Undoubtedly, we continue to transform El Salvador, and we are on the right track,» Villatoro added.
Mauricio Arriaza Chicas, the Director of the PNC, also weighed in on the positive impact of the improved security situation, noting that Salvadorans can now enjoy the country’s various tourist destinations with complete freedom and peace of mind. «Seeing people fully enjoying their country confirms it. We are moving forward.»
The PNC reports indicate that the days without any reports of homicides in April were the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 18th, 19th, 20th, 22nd, 23rd, 24th, 26th, 27th, 28th, and 30th.
Since the beginning of the year, the authorities have recorded 87 days without homicides across the country. Furthermore, the administration of President Bukele has accumulated a total of 357 days without any incidents of homicide from June 2019 to April 2023.
Security expert Ricardo Sosa praised President Bukele and his Security Cabinet for their remarkable achievement, stating that «April 2023 has set two new historic records and closed a month without impunity in the crime of aggravated homicide. There is no complacency in the work of security institutions, and they are always looking for more. This is evidence of the sustainability of the Territorial Control Plan strategy and the relevance of the state of exception.»
With the high levels of security provided by the government, El Salvador has moved beyond the years of insecurity, grief, and pain that gangs caused hundreds of Salvadoran families.