President Nayib Bukele continues to be recognized as a global leader in public security due to his administration’s relentless fight against gangs. His Territorial Control Plan, reinforced by the state of emergency, has led to a historic reduction in homicides, making El Salvador the safest nation in the Western Hemisphere.

Amid growing concerns about crime in Chile, a Chilean citizen who was a victim of violence recently expressed the need for a political leader like Bukele to combat rising insecurity. In a public statement, the citizen lamented the lack of strong security measures in Chile following the murder of Carolina Calleja and Rodrigo González in their home in Graneros, O’Higgins Region.

«That’s what Chile needs: bring a [Nayib] Bukele here. How can it be that a criminal enters [a house], someone shoots him, and the person who shot him is arrested, while the criminal is set free?» the citizen questioned.

The citizen also urged Chilean President Gabriel Boric to strengthen security strategies, denouncing political corruption and the lack of governmental action against crime. «This can’t continue. Politicians should stop stealing, stop doing foolish things, and give power to the Carabineros and the military. Give criminals the iron fist,» he declared.

Chile, like El Salvador, implemented a state of emergency between 2023 and 2024 in response to escalating crime rates. This measure was applied in La Victoria and six districts of the constitutional province of Callao, the most affected areas.

Meanwhile, the governments of Peru and Argentina have expressed interest in learning from and replicating El Salvador’s security strategies to address the gang crisis that had persisted under previous administrations in the Central American country.