The 10 Most Dangerous Places In El Salvador in 2022, based on Homicides

The most dangerous places in El Salvador in 2022 were Izalco, Nahuizalco, Quezaltepeque, Ciudad Delgado, San Miguel, Ahuachapan, Santa Ana, Ilobasco, La Libertad, and Colon. The estimation is based on the rate of homicides per 100,000 inhabitants in places with a population of over 50,000 people. This list is as of December 31, 2022.

There is no denying that the Salvadoran homicide rate in 2022 reached a new low. Most municipalities with double-digit rates before 2022 are now in the single digits. Click here to see the 10 most dangerous places in 2021.

The following homicide stats might contradict those provided by the Salvadoran government as it includes the deaths of alleged criminals who died while in confrontation with Salvadoran security forces.

Each place on the top ten list could be considered dangerous to visit or live in just by looking at the stats alone. However, not the entire territory in the municipality is unsafe; they have zones considered safe for locals and outsiders to visit or live in.

For example, looking at statistics alone, Izalco, Santa Ana, Ilobasco, and La Libertad are considered dangerous places. However, they have plenty of safe tourist areas and neighborhoods frequently visited by locals and foreigners.

The homicide rate in El Salvador has dropped drastically in 2022 compared to the previous four years. It has gone from 36 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants in 2019 to 17.5 in 2021 and 9.7 in 2022.

Why are these places in El Salvador dangerous?

Before 2022, the most dangerous places in El Salvador were hazardous due to illicit activities by criminal organizations that operated in the areas. These groups looked to maintain control of the region they already had. But also wanted to take control of new territory.

The warfare between rival gangs MS13 and Barrio18 for control of territory was a principal reason the cycle of violence in the country was high for more than 30 years.

However, by 2023 things have changed. Many of the homicides of this year didn’t involve gang activity; they were the results of family altercations or violence due to drugs and alcohol.

Violence in El Salvador, especially homicides, has drastically declined since the Bukele administration began on June 1st, 2019.

December 2022 set a record low in the daily homicide rate with 0.50 daily fatalities. A tremendous drop compared to the 6.6 daily rates of 2019 or the infamous 18.2 of 2015.

The Bukele administration credits the reduction in violence and homicide to its security plan, “The Territorial Control Plan.” However, reports have surfaced that claim this reduction is due to a secret pact between the government and criminal organizations.

Most Dangerous Places in El Salvador

The most dangerous places in El Salvador change every year. Also, just because a particular location has a low homicide rate does not make it safe to visit. It is essential to use common sense while venturing into these areas.