The year 2023 is shaping up to be the safest year ever in El Salvador, with a remarkable decline in homicides, a trend that has been improving year after year since 2019, as reported by security authorities.

As we close in on the tenth month of this year, police records reveal that the country has achieved an unprecedented milestone, accumulating 204 days without any homicides, the highest number in El Salvador’s history. November has also started on the same note of security, with two days already without any crimes against life.

President of the Republic, Nayib Bukele, proudly stated that El Salvador has become a model for security management and crime prevention. It is currently competing with Canada for the title of the safest country in the Americas.

Minister of Defense, René Merino Monroy, further detailed that statistics indicate that the country will end the year with a homicide rate below 2.1, solidifying its position as one of the safest countries in Latin America.

“With the trend we are observing, our year-end projections suggest a homicide rate of 1.8 to 2.5 per 100,000 inhabitants, making us the safest country in the American continent,” remarked Merino.

The undeniable changes in security began in El Salvador in 2019, with a consistent reduction in homicides. Authorities attribute this decline to the security strategies implemented, namely the “Plan Control Territorial” and the state of exception. As of now, the country has gone 478 days without any crimes against life. 2022, until today, remains the safest year in the nation’s history, closing with 495 homicide-free days.

This newfound security has also made El Salvador the fourth country with the highest tourism growth in the world and the fastest-growing destination in the entire Western Hemisphere, according to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

“We are now living in an El Salvador where death and homicides are no longer part of our daily lives. We are focusing on improving our infrastructure, our schools, and our healthcare facilities,” said Minister of Security, Gustavo Villatoro.