El Salvador, once plagued by concerns of corruption, is now being hailed as the least corrupt country in Latin America, according to a recent survey conducted by CID Gallup. The study revealed that only 6% of Salvadorans surveyed identified corruption as the country’s primary issue.
These findings mark a significant shift in public perception. Corruption, which was once a major concern for Salvadorans, is no longer their primary focus. CID Gallup conducted the survey in September, and the results have sparked optimism and pride among the nation’s citizens.
Upon learning of the survey results, President Nayib Bukele took to social media to express his satisfaction. “The least corrupt country in Latin America. And we’ve only just begun our fight against corruption,” he wrote on his social media account.
The president had announced the commencement of a corruption crackdown on June 1 during his national address marking his fourth year in office. This initiative started with the seizure of assets belonging to former ARENA party president Alfredo Félix Cristiani Burkard.
Bukele’s anti-corruption campaign has already resulted in the arrests of key figures, including National Security Advisor Alejandro Muyshondt, lawmakers Erick García and Alberto Romero, and former BANDESAL president Juan Pablo Durán.
Additionally, the Salvadoran government has initiated several civil trials against former public officials and pursued the forfeiture of properties obtained through irregular means.
The CID Gallup survey highlights that Peru tops the list of countries where citizens perceive corruption as the most significant problem, with 48% of respondents in agreement. Panama follows with 44%, Colombia with 41%, Venezuela with 37%, and Guatemala with 31%.
The survey indicates that 30% of Argentinians see corruption as their primary concern, followed by Honduras at 27%, Ecuador at 24%, Nicaragua at 23%, Mexico at 17%, the Dominican Republic at 16%, and Costa Rica at 14%.
The CID Gallup survey employed a methodology that included mobile phone calls and face-to-face interviews, with a minimum sample size of 1,200 citizens in each country. The margin of error for the survey is approximately ±2.8 points, and it boasts a 95% confidence level.
In light of these results, El Salvador is now poised to continue its battle against corruption while celebrating its newfound status as the least corrupt country in Latin America. This survey underscores the nation’s commitment to transparency and accountability, setting a remarkable example for the region.