When it comes to dealing with the security policy of El Salvador, president-elect Nayib Bukele has increased expectations. There is a belief that new proposals will come into place while it is also believed that he will use policies that have been used before but failed. With this in mind, what challenges is he facing?

Gang Behaviour

Over the last 15 years, gangs have been growing and taking more control of territory through extortion and this is now clear to see. As violence has grown, the President Elect has to now deal with the problems that the country faces. When he was Mayor of San Salvador, he spoke directly with gangs, so he could adopt this approach.

Changes to Policing

Over the past three years, the justice system in El Salvador has prosecuted just six cases. With this in mind, President-Elect Bukele has put a security plan in place that focuses on the repressive element of the PNC while still maintaining an active military role in public security and criminal intelligence.

Corruption

As part of the campaign, the team surrounding Bukele made it known just how vital it was for corruption to be addressed. Late in 2018, there were suggestions made that an international anti-graft commission would be put in place to deal with corruption similar to that of Guatemala’s International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala. However, there is not a more solid proposal in place that aims to deal with the problem of corruption which is rife throughout the country.