In what potentially will become an historic milestone, January 2024 is shaping up to be the safest month in the history of El Salvador. Authorities have reported only seven homicides so far this month, a figure incomparable to previous periods under the FMLN government.
Each passing day sees El Salvador surpassing its dark past of violence and insecurity, with the worst recorded incidents occurring between 2014 and 2017. Now, the country continues to position itself as one of the safest nations, making January 2024 on the brink of closing as the safest month in its history.
During the last six years of FMLN governments, the average number of homicides in January was 362, with the alarming peak of over 740 cases in 2016. January had always been marked by homicidal violence in previous years, as per police statistics. In 2014, there were 234 homicides, 336 in January 2015, 740 in the same period of 2016, and 259 in 2017.
The decline in violence-related deaths began in June 2019, coinciding with the start of Nayib Bukele’s presidency. For instance, January 2020 saw 120 homicides, 115 in 2021, 85 in 2022, and only 11 in 2023. This year, January is set to record the lowest number of crimes, with just 7 homicides reported and 20 days without violence.
Authorities attribute these undeniable results to the Territorial Control Plan and the fight against gangs, strategies led by President Bukele. These initiatives have transformed El Salvador into one of the safest nations in Latin America.
The year 2023 closed as the safest in El Salvador’s history, marked by a significant reduction in homicides, a trend that has been improving since 2019. Last year concluded with 247 days without homicides.
In 2023, only 154 crimes were reported, reflecting a rate of 2.4 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants, one of the lowest in the world.
President Nayib Bukele reiterated, “El Salvador is undeniably the safest country in Latin America. It’s incredible to think that just a few years ago, we were the most dangerous country in the world. A good government delivers results; a bad government gives excuses. God is with us!”
Reduced Impunity
Last year not only became the safest in Salvadoran history but also secured El Salvador the top spot for the world’s best homicide resolution rate, according to Security Minister Gustavo Villatoro.
El Salvador surpassed Spain, becoming the country with the lowest homicide impunity rate globally. Spain had an average homicide resolution rate of 92% (solving 92 out of 100 homicides), while El Salvador achieved an impressive 94.8% (resolving 94 out of 100 murders).
“We inherited a country with a 97% homicide impunity rate; out of every 100 homicides, only 3 people were convicted, which is appalling,” stated the Security Minister.
The significant drop in impunity in El Salvador is attributed to the authorities’ efforts in dismantling gangs by capturing their members, including leaders and collaborators who committed various crimes for many years.
The remarkable reduction in violence in El Salvador has piqued the interest of other countries, with municipal authorities from Peru, Ecuador, Chile, Honduras, and Peru expressing interest in replicating the effective security measures implemented to curb criminal activities.