“We have become, indisputably, the safest country in the entire Western Hemisphere,” wrote President Nayib Bukele on his account on X, after learning the result of 28 days in December without murders attributable to gangs or maras.

The president compared statistics. “As of December 28 of last year, we registered 15 homicides. In December this year, we have 0. We have become, indisputably, the safest country in the entire Hemisphere,” he enthused.

Such achievements of 2024 and other are attributed to the Territorial Control Plan, implemented in 2019, and the regime of exception, in force since March 2022.

In a few years, both strategies have managed to put a rein on crimes by maras, following the arrest of more than 84 thousand of its members, the seizure of their logistics, including four thousand 458 firearms, nine thousand 800 vehicles and drugs, according to the government.

By tightening control over the territories and dismantling criminal activities, the country created an environment of safe coexistence for the population, which has had an impact on economic progress.

Despite opponents demand for its elimination, the regime of exception is supported, according to surveys, by nine out of 10 Salvadorans.

Since stricter measures came into force, murders have dropped, and from March 2022 to November 2024, they have led to 758 homicide-free days, 645 of them under the exception regime.

The year 2023 witnessed 247 days with no murders reported, amounting to a 2.4 yearly rate per 100 thousand inhabitants, while in 2024 authorities expect a 1.5 to 1.8 rate.

Among sectors benefitted by the strict regime, authorities cite education, tourism and commerce.

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