El Salvador has achieved a significant milestone in its fight against violence, recording 690 days free of homicidal violence during President Nayib Bukele’s administration. Police statistics reveal that of these days, 577 occurred during the ongoing state of emergency, underscoring the effectiveness of the government’s security measures.
The most recent day without murders was August 27, bringing the total for this year to 172 days without violent deaths. The month of August alone has seen 16 such days, including August 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 24, and 27. This follows a trend of decreasing homicide rates, with similar patterns observed over the past months: 22 days in July, 24 in June, 21 in May, 19 in April, 22 in March, and 24 each in February and January.
The significant reduction in violence is attributed to the government’s comprehensive security plans, which have been particularly impactful during the state of emergency. Minister of Justice and Security, Gustavo Villatoro, praised the administration’s success in dismantling gang control and noted that El Salvador’s homicide rate per 100,000 inhabitants has dropped to 2.1, down from 2.4 in 2023.
Villatoro emphasized that El Salvador has developed an effective strategy for combating organized crime, declaring it the only country with a proven method to disband such large-scale criminal organizations. President Bukele has asserted that El Salvador is now the safest country in the Western Hemisphere, achieving a 97% reduction in homicides and a 95% success rate in solving the few cases that do occur.
A recent regional security report by Infosegura, funded by USAID, highlights El Salvador’s remarkable progress. Out of 8,261 homicides reported across Central America in 2023, only 154 were in El Salvador, representing a mere 1.84% of the regional total. In contrast, neighboring Honduras and Guatemala faced significantly higher homicide rates.
El Salvador’s accomplishments in reducing violence set a notable example for the region, showcasing the effectiveness of its security strategies and commitment to public safety.