According to the latest survey by the University Institute of Public Opinion (Iudop) of the José Simeón Cañas Central American University (UCA), 97.7% of citizens think that criminality in the country has decreased during the Government of President Nayib Bukele.
The survey, which evaluated the four years of the Bukele administration, asked; has crime in the country decreased or increased during the current Government? 97.7% responded that it had declined, 1.5% that it continued to be the same, and 0.8% answered that it had increased.
When asked as to why they believe crime in the country had decreased, 37.1% said it was because of the State of Exception, 31.6% because gang members are being arrested, and 8.4% because there is a more significant presence of soldiers and police officers.
Undoubtedly, the main achievement of the President Nayib Bukele’s administration is security; only a tiny percentage of Salvadorans believe that the country’s security hasn’t improved.
Even William Duncan, the US ambassador to El Salvador, stated that security in the country has improved.
I stand by what I said. I traveled a lot in El Salvador before. I talk to farmers in the fields, and I have yet to meet anyone who is not happy with the current state of public safety in the country, even with those who have reservations about the way it is handled.” William Duncan, US Ambassador to El Salvador.
SEE ALSO: El Salvador State of Exception; a security measure implemented to fight gangs
The Bukele administration has been criticized heavily by the Biden administration for its security measures, which include the controversial state of Exception. Ambassador Ducan alluded to this!
El Salvador has no better friend than the United States; I can prove it in many ways. I think one of the things I need to do is maintain and strengthen and deepen that relationship. Our differences on specific issues are well known; we have not hidden them.” William Duncan, US Ambassador to El Salvador.
SEE ALSO: El Salvador Homicide Rate
Human rights organizations such as Cristosal, Amnesty International, and Humans Rights Watch agree that the country is safer now; however, they are critical of the way it has been achieved.
Without a doubt, Salvadorans feel safer now that the homicide rate and overall crime have been reduced; this is good news for President Bukele and his political party, with public elections coming soon. Bukele continues to have a high approval rating after four years in office.
