A Harvard-affiliated sociology professor has credited President Nayib Bukele’s security policies with significantly reducing gang-related violence in El Salvador, positioning the country as the safest in the Western Hemisphere.
Jocelyn Viterna, a sociology professor at a prestigious U.S. university, told the Harvard Gazette that El Salvador’s dramatic drop in homicide rates reflects the success of President Bukele’s unconventional leadership. “People adore Bukele. He has reduced gang violence and homicide rates in El Salvador,” Viterna stated, noting that gangs once controlled vast areas and inflicted widespread brutality.
On January 1, 2025, President Bukele announced that the country closed 2024 with a homicide rate of just 1.9 per 100,000 inhabitants—a historic low compared to 106.3 per 100,000 in 2015 under previous administrations.
This transformation is largely attributed to Bukele’s Territorial Control Plan (PCT) and the state of emergency, policies that have faced opposition claims of human rights violations but have led to the arrest of nearly 86,000 gang members to date.
Viterna also highlighted international recognition of Bukele’s efforts, pointing to U.S. President Donald Trump’s support during Bukele’s official visit to the White House on April 14, 2025.
“Having the opportunity to highlight his accomplishments from the White House was something President Bukele found difficult to resist,” Viterna added.
El Salvador’s progress in security under Bukele continues to draw global attention, marking a significant shift in a country long plagued by gang violence.
Read the full interview with Professor Jocelyn Viterna on the Harvard Gazette