President Nayib Bukele has announced that El Salvador is now officially the safest country in the Western Hemisphere, citing data from a recent report by CidGallup. In a post on his X account, Bukele shared the milestone:
“GALLUP: El Salvador Ranks Among ‘Most Safe’ (in the world) for First Time. We just became the safest country in the Western Hemisphere, and now we’re aiming for the world!”
The report, titled “Global Safety Starts to Slip,” highlights El Salvador’s remarkable transformation. Once infamous as the murder capital of the world, the country reached a new record in 2023, with 88% of its citizens reporting they feel safe. This achievement follows a significant government crackdown on gang activity, leading to the incarceration of roughly 2% of the population. Despite concerns over the country’s shift towards a police state, the measures have resulted in one of the lowest homicide rates in the hemisphere.
President Bukele’s post included a link to the full article, underscoring El Salvador’s progress on the global stage.