Inside El Salvador’s war on crime

President Nayib Bukele’s brutal crackdown on crime has dramatically reduced the murder rate and won him favour with the public, but what’s the true cost of his war on gangs? The Economist’s deputy editor, Robert Guest, reports from El Salvador on how Bukele is using the fight against crime to amass power.

00:00 - Inside president Bukele’s crackdown
02:25 - How the public and the prisoners’ families have reacted
03:55 - El Salvador’s security minister on fair trials
05:13 - How Bukele is amassing power

[zinjanthropus]

Western media was never this concerned for the public when they were getting terrorized by these gangs.

[Donotcare]

"We don't work for human right organization we work for Salvadorian citizens". Well said sir

[bentrejo]

What’s shocking is when the media has pity for these criminals!!

[JardielDisplay]

I came from El Salvador yesterday, went to the capital city and drove alone to rural areas, never felt unsafe, wonderful people, streets and roads clean. Bukele needs to be president of Central America

[nemogrooves]

I love how the actual comments of this video are supportive of Bukele's decisions. The media is trying to make him look as the bad guy but we know he isnt. ¡Vamos, El Salvador, que sí se puede! 💪❤️

[ricardochevez]

"Disturbing footage" If they actually showed the horrible crimes and tortures gang members carried out they would actually know what disturbing means. Speaking as a Salvadorean i can't believe how they show empathy for these disgusting criminals.

[drewmalesky]

Its easy to be sanctimonious when you aren't the ones living through it.

[RobinArshavin]

Not shocking. They deserve it. These people use to hold innocent hard working people hostage for ransoms.

[supafoob]

These aren’t young men, these are monsters.

[kylesanford]

“People on the streets seem unphased by Bukeles tactics”
The fact that they are on the streets means they are phased

[tempcadoganenright]

Imagine if the Cartels in Mexico could be dealt with like this

[HIVOLTAGEZzz]

What a disgusting way of documebting this. So much empathy for these monsters while not even acknowledging the victims. Shame

[KunalNatu]

I will never for the life of me understand why the media is always SHOCKED that people like this guy are loved by his people. If you keep your country safe, people will love you, this isn’t a difficult thing to comprehend….

[ernestoflores]

El Salvador is doing what many other presidents won’t dare to. This guy is a hero don’t you see.

[alanadan]

We love this! No pity on these monsters who terrorized the country.

[ngukaochieng]

Anyone who has ever suffered in the hands of gangs can never call for "due process"

[CHURUTEInternational]

Where was The Economist for my two murdered family members? My grandfather who was murdered in his home in front of my grandmother. Then my cuisin who went to the movie theater. Robbed and killed. I love Bukele ❤❤❤

[cyrushomes]

Human rights are the most important to be upheld. The human right of Salvadorians to live free of crime taking precedence here. ❤

[kazakh-interista]

The position of The Economist in this situation shows you whether to trust this source anymore or not. I am not from El Salvador and never have been to and I not only understand the measures taken by their government against these criminals but also support them with a standing ovation. Bravo Mr Bukele!! Freedom for the people of El Salvador from cartels sponsored by the WEST.

[murilocosta-ojpp]

YA NADIE LES CREE 🤡 The best President ever in El Salvador 🇸🇻 Nayib Bukele 👊🏻