How El Salvador Destroyed Their Brutal Gangs Changes Everything!
Crime Dynasty・23 minutes read
President Bukele's crackdown on gangs in El Salvador led to a significant reduction in crime rates through aggressive measures and policies, resulting in thousands of arrests and a decrease in extortion complaints. While successful in El Salvador, the unique conditions and drastic measures utilized may not be easily replicable in other countries, potentially leading to negative consequences and human rights violations.
Insights
- President Bukele's crackdown on gangs in El Salvador resulted in a significant reduction in extortion complaints and areas previously under gang influence now being free from their control, showcasing a 54% decrease in extortion complaints.
- The success of Bukele's strategy is attributed to specific conditions in El Salvador, including less powerful gangs focused on extortion, professional security forces, and unique circumstances, making it challenging to replicate in other countries. However, there is a concern that leaders may be tempted to adopt similar drastic measures for political gains, potentially leading to chaos, increased criminal activity, and human rights violations.
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Recent questions
What led to the decline in murder rates in El Salvador?
A new leader implemented a crackdown on gangs.
What sparked increased violence in El Salvador in 1980?
Kidnapping and murder of American missionaries.
Who sought peace in El Salvador in 1980?
Archbishop Oscar Romero.
What led to the rise of the FMLN group in El Salvador?
Counteracting Salvadoran military forces.
What were the main activities of gangs in El Salvador?
Engaging in violence, extortion, and drug dealing.
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Summary
00:00
"El Salvador's Gang Violence and Political Shift"
- In 2019, a new leader took power in El Salvador, overseeing a crackdown on gangs, resulting in over 65,000 arrests in a year.
- The murder rate in El Salvador saw a significant decline, with 87 people killed on March 25, 2022, due to gang retaliation.
- Archbishop Oscar Romero sought peace in El Salvador in 1980, but was assassinated, leading to further violence and conflicts.
- American missionaries were kidnapped and murdered in 1980, sparking outrage and leading to increased violence in the region.
- The FMLN group rose to counter Salvadoran military forces, with support from the US and other countries, escalating the conflict.
- The collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War shifted US policy, leading to a push for peace in El Salvador.
- Approximately 880,000 people in El Salvador were killed during the war, with many fleeing to the US, where gang violence continued.
- Gang members in El Salvador, like MS13 and 18th Street, were often young teenagers seeking security and belonging.
- The gangs engaged in violence, extortion, and drug dealing, leading to high femicide rates and brutal crimes.
- Efforts to combat the gangs included arrests, crackdowns, and deportations, with varying levels of success, until President Bukele's new strategies were implemented.
15:18
Bukele's Crackdown: Success and Controversy
- Gangsters targeted various individuals, including a fruit seller, a surf instructor, a homemaker, and a cobbler, to convey a message to Naib Bukele, who aimed to reduce crime and enhance El Salvador's image.
- Bukele initiated a crackdown by declaring a state of emergency, implementing new policies to allow gang populations to mix in prison, and restricting basic constitutional rights.
- Security forces swiftly apprehended gang members and associates without warrants or solid evidence, leading to 33,000 arrests in the initial months, suspending legal defense rights and court hearings for detainees.
- Bukele's crackdown resulted in a significant reduction in extortion complaints, with areas previously plagued by gangs now free from their influence, showcasing a 54% decrease in extortion complaints.
- Bukele transferred 2,000 gang members to a mega prison with limited facilities, aiming to keep them incarcerated for extended periods, leading to a substantial increase in the prison population.
- The success of Bukele's crackdown in El Salvador is unique to the country due to specific conditions, including less formidable gangs focused on extortion rather than drug trade, and professional security forces committed to dismantling them.
- While Bukele's model may not be replicable in other countries due to differing circumstances, leaders may be tempted to adopt similar drastic measures for political gain, potentially leading to chaos, increased criminal activity, and human rights violations.
