The President's Change in El Salvador

4min Snip

00:00

Play full episode

Summary

Transcript

Episode notes

Gangs in El Salvador have been blamed on the country's new president. Sarah Harding visited Las Ganyas, a neighbourhood of two parts that is controlled by rival gangs. She found it hard to get around because people couldn't leave their homes and buy necessities such as petrol or food. But she says Naiibu Kele has changed everything with his crackdown on gang violence.

A country that was not long ago gripped by gang violence and crime is slowly emerging from fear, thanks to a brutal roundup of young men by a wildly popular, social-media-savvy president. The streets may be safer, but now it is El Salvador’s democracy that is in danger—and neighbouring countries’ leaders may take lessons from its budding autocrat.

For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist, try a free 30-day digital subscription by going to www.economist.com/intelligenceoffer