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

The most dangerous places in El Salvador in 2022 are Ciudad Delgado, Ahuachapan, Apopa, Santa Ana, Colon, Ilopango, San Salvador, Santa Tecla, San Miguel, and Mejicanos. The estimation is based on the rate of homicides per 100,000 inhabitants and of places with a population of over 100,000 people, as of August 31st, 2022.

If we include municipalities with over 50,000 inhabitants, then the top ten most dangerous places change. Izalco, Nahuizalco, and Quezaltepeque jump into the first three spots, and Ilopango, San Salvador, Santa Tecla, San Miguel, and Mejicanos drop off the top ten list.

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

The homicide rate in El Salvador has dropped drastically in 2022 compared to the previous four years. It has gone from a rate of 36 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants in 2019 to an estimated 12.2 rate in 2022.

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 municipality is unsafe; they have zones considered safe for locals and outsiders to visit or live in.

For example, looking at statistics alone, Santa Ana, San Salvador, and Santa Tecla are considered dangerous places. However, they have plenty of safe tourist areas and neighborhoods frequently visited by locals and foreigners. Also, they have some of the most expensive real estate in the country.

Is violence in these Salvadoran places declining?

Why are these places in El Salvador dangerous?

The places on this list are dangerous due to illicit activities by criminal organizations that operate in the areas. These groups look to maintain control of the region they already have. But also want to take control of new territory.

The warfare between rival gangs MS13 and Barrio18 for control of territory is one of the principal reasons the cycle of violence in the country has been high for more than 20 years.

Criminal groups use intimidation and extortion to keep residents in their controlled communities under control. Furthermore, they do not like outsiders, who they don’t know, entering their controlled zones.

It is necessary to mention that not the entire territory in these so-called dangerous places is unsafe. The dangerous zones are in specific areas or neighborhoods of the municipalities.

Violence in El Salvador, especially homicides, has drastically declined since the Bukele administration began on June 1st, 2019. July 2022 set a record low in the daily homicide rate with 0.70 daily fatalities. A tremendous drop compared to the 6.6 daily rates of 2019.

The Bukele administration credits the reduction in violence and homicide to its security plan, “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.