Part 2/10:
Under Bukele's leadership, El Salvador saw a staggering decline in homicides — from an average of 108 murders per 100,000 inhabitants to just 8. This 90% reduction didn't happen by chance; it was largely due to the aggressive detention policies. The mega prison became a symbol of the crackdown, housing thousands of gang members serving long sentences, thereby removing them from society and restoring law and order.
Bukele's approach involved arresting over 64,000 violent criminals, a move that significantly transformed the country's crime landscape. The success of this model has garnered international attention and has become a blueprint for tough crime policies elsewhere.