Bukele's security model in El Salvador is often praised for lowering visible crime and creating a sense of order. Government media and supporters present it as a universal success, suggesting that all Salvadorians benefit equally from these policies. Supporters often highlight cleaner neighborhoods, military patrols, and new infrastructure as signs that the entire country is safer. These images circulate on social media and reinforce the belief that the crackdown only affects criminals. However, there's a reality where some people live with constant fear of being targeted, especially young men from low-income communities.

Inequalities in Experience

• Middle and upper-class Salvadorans in safer areas see better infrastructure and lower visible crime.

• Lower-income communities often face military presence, frequent raids, and a higher risk of wrongful detention.

"Hyperdevelopment" vs. Neglect

Profiling and Wrongful Detention

Reports show young men with tattoos, darker skin, or from specific neighborhoods are targets as suspected gang members.

Hidden Tolls on Families  

While Bukele's security policies are often framed as making the country safer for everyone by incarcerating "criminals," the reality for families, particularly women, is far more complex. Households bear financial and logistical burdens.