After more than two decades, Jairo Acuña, the Resident Representative for the UNDP, returned to El Salvador to witness a landscape unrecognizable from his academic years. While studying development and economics at Oxford, the country’s historic center was essentially a “no-go zone” due to systemic instability. Today, that same area serves as the epicenter of a notable transformation that has redefined the nation’s international image.
Acuña’s recent visit sparked a viral reflection on social media, where he noted the stark contrast between the past and the present. “Today I return to a different country. Seeing the transformation is remarkable,” he stated, emphasizing that the current safety and urban renewal have opened doors that were once firmly shut. This shift is not merely aesthetic but represents a fundamental change in the socio-economic dynamics of the Salvadoran capital.
Looking forward, the UNDP has expressed a firm commitment to supporting this new era of progress. Acuña highlighted that he feels “honored to contribute, from UNDP El Salvador, to this new stage the country is experiencing.” By focusing on sustainable development and institutional growth, the international organization aims to consolidate these gains, ensuring that the transition from a volatile past to a stable future becomes a permanent reality.