On Point | Podcast What life is really like in El Salvador under Bukele’s 'iron fist'
May 22, 2025
Nelson Raúl de Zabla, a digital editor who fled El Salvador after government threats, joins Manisha Gilman, a political science professor and author, to discuss life under President Bukele's iron fist. They delve into the dramatic drop in homicide rates contrasted with the staggering imprisonment of 2% of the population. The conversation reveals controversial government tactics, hidden gang deals, and the erosion of civil liberties. They also reflect on how these developments echo concerns about democracy within the U.S.
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Bukele's Safety Success and Cost
- El Salvador's homicide rate drastically dropped from over 100 per 100,000 to under 2 per 100,000 since Bukele took office in 2019.
- This dramatic public safety improvement was accompanied by the world's highest incarceration rate, impacting 2% of the population.
Journalist's Escape for Reporting
- Nelson Raúl de Zabla fled El Salvador after being targeted with an arrest warrant for reporting on the government's secret deals with gangs.
- His team revealed these deals via a video series watched by two million people, leading to government retaliation.
Origins of Salvadoran Gang Violence
- Before Bukele, gangs like MS-13 and Barrio 18 controlled large territories, extorted businesses, and enforced violence.
- Gangs' origins trace back to U.S. deportations of Salvadoran refugees, highlighting the interconnected history of violence.