EL SALVADOR | Can It Finally Beat Gang Violence?
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- čas přidán 30. 06. 2024
- El Salvador in under a state of emergency. Following a spate of killings in March 2022, which left 62 dead in a single day, the country has imposed harsh new measures to curb gang violence. This includes mass arrests, longer prison terms, and limits on press freedom. All this has led to concern that the country is moving towards authoritarianism under its young president, Nayib Bukele. So, is it battling a new gang war, or is there something else behind this current crackdown?
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The Central American country of El Salvador once had the reputation as the murder capital of the world. Plagued by gang wars, in 2015, its violent death rate exceeded that of most of the world's war zones. Only Syria had a higher level. However, since 2019, things have seemed to be turning around. Under President Bukele, the country seemed to be turning around. However, in March 2022, there was another spike in violence. This has led to a dramatic new crackdown as the government has imposed a state of emergency and arrested well of 20,000 people suspected of having links to the country's two main gangs - MS-13 and Barrio 18. But is this really all about cracking down on the gangs. Or is there more to it?
CHAPTERS
0:00 Introduction and Titles
0:37 El Salvador and Gang Violence
1:50 Background to El Salvador
2:22 The Emergence of El Salvador
3:17 Military Rule and Civil War, 1931-1992
4:46 The Emergence of the Gangs
5:54 The 2012 Gang Truce
8:07 Nayib Bukele and the Gangs
9:29 New Gang Violence in El Salvador
10:54 El Salvador: Gang Violence or Authoritarianism
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FURTHER READING & USEFUL SOURCES
Presidency of El Salvador www.presidencia.gob.sv
Small Arms Survey Global Violent Deaths 2018 www.smallarmssurvey.org/datab...
Chapultepec Peace Agreement 1992 peacemaker.un.org/sites/peace...
El Salvador’s Gang Truce: A Lost Opportunity? www.opendemocracy.net/en/open...
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KEYWORDS
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The recent surge of violence in El Salvador raises some very serious questions about the direction the country is taking? So, is President Nayib Bukele using the crack down on the gangs as a way to grab power? Or do you think the harsh measures are fully justified?
I understand that a long-term solution would be slow, the option civil right groups would applaud, would not yield results for a long time, only a harsher more authoritarian approach could yield such immediate results. A short-term plan without the co-existing long-term plan does look, at least on the surface a power grab. Only time will tell though. million thx Prof.
As a citizen I think they are justified. Pretty much everyone here has suffered thanks to the gangs in one form or another I personally have seen people killed and robbed in my own neighborhood. People here will gladly accept some authoritarianism and corruption since guest what every other government before has been equally or even more corrupt than bukele so, really only the authoritarianism critics hold some merit but even then everything else that has been tried didn't produce results so the only thing left to do is to ramp up the harsh measures and send everyone to jail, who knows maybe that'll work out, although I have my doubts that it will it really is the only thing left to do.
An authoritarian approach is what's needed in this country. In some cases full freedom's result in uncontrollable violence especially when the USA is medaling with internal affairs. The whip needs to be cracked to get people in line and then start again. I'd rather an authoritarian government in control than a free for all anarchy..
I the case of media prohibition, there are two kinds, one to prevent people from knowing the truth, as is the case with Russia. Then there is also prohibition for the good of the public, a good example of that would be the mass shooting in New Zealand where Arden prohibited any media from mentioning the shooters name and to this day we still don’t know his name.
In the case of El Salvador it does look to be more the latter than the former.
I did not know of the situation in this country, but from what you described it is better for them to have a dictator who can put a stop on the violence than a democracy resembling a failed state.
They call Bukele a dictator for threating criminals like criminals. These guys have murdered, mugged and robbed honest people and some people truly ask for "human rights" for them.
Imo, all this is superficial bandaid treatment for symptoms, not solving root problems such as corruption, economic development, education, welfare, etc. There is a reason why gangs exist in the first place
@@ayszhang You have no idea of what you speak of. Worse yet, you speak as if you do. Ask us, Salvadorans.
Nayib is not all that, people open your eyes.
@@ayszhang The government has open many different educational centers in the entire country. There's so many programs that the youth and young adults are participating in to steer them away from the wrong path. They are investigating many many politicians for corruption and many of them who have had an arrest warrant issued against have fled the country, including 3 former president who are on the run. Everytime a politician is investigated they scream "POLITICAL PERSECUTION". Get real, this new government has only been in power for 3 years and you expect President Bukele's government to fix 200 years of underdevelopment/corruption/poverty/massacres/gang violence(which was exported from the USA) in the short amount of time?
Don't just spew complete idiotic comments about my country if you can't fathom the truth.
I know ha!.. these people!!... Unbelievable!
As a salvadorean I can confirm that finally we are safe from those criminals extorcionists and rapists. We no longer pay extorcion for selling our bread or being threaten. Seen dead bodies on the streets was normal for the last 30 years but since President Bukele came to power we are free and safe. Please respect and accept that more than 90% of the population approve and support President Bukele. We are no longer afraid to be killed and I know my grandfather's killer is behind bars. Thank you President Bukele for opening our eyes and giving us a voice.
I'm from Guatemala and I agree with you 💯%.
I hate it when these people who have not lived what we have lived through, call his actions controversial.
It doesn't matter what anyone thinks if press freedom is taken away, you're on a fast-track to shit-ville when freedom of speech goes away. Your "voice" is in the process of being taken away if something isn't done fast
Is so sad how somebody tells you here's $5,000 talk about this subject "negative" things .. but we see the difference and love it long live the GREAT LEADER #BUKELE
Bukele is an arabic family name from where i come from in Palestine and syria. I was surprised that the president has this name.
@@skkl8045Actually, it is more common in Latin America than you would believe. The current president of the Dominican Republic is of Lebanese descent, additionally all throughout Latin America there have been leaders from Middle Eastern descent.
In Perù, there was once a president who was Japanese. His daughter ran for president too.
Criminals are protected by "democracy" "human rights watch",honest people are protected by Nayib Bukele,long live our president!!!
I'd rather live in a free country over a overprotective country like China, Russia with less crime.
@@armanisim7791 would you rather be extorted, your family flayed and hung from bridges?
@@armanisim7791 where the heck did you hear ES is like China or Russia😂😂😂? Careful with your sources!!! Why is it not free when about 90% of us Salvadoreans voted him in DEMOCRATICALLY??? When Salvadoreans overwhelmingly support his actions??? Are we going to normalize calling a free government a "dictatorship" when we don't agree with what THE PEOPLE have chosen??? Get better sources buddy. Salvadoreans were NOT free when these criminals were roaming around the country killing, robbing, and torturing them. It's funny how you people speculate from the outside not understanding one ounce of the Salvadorean experience with gangs or our culture.
@@armanisim7791 Good bye😂
@@armanisim7791 literal my man say prefer to live with gangs lol
I visited El Salvador last month as a solo female traveler and I throughly enjoyed myself and felt safe.
I was there in april
You were a tourist visiting tourist spots.
Bukele is targeting the poor, not tourists.
Thanks for visiting our country. El Salvador is now one of the safes place on Earth, and people like you help us to tell the true to the world.
there is some people that is unhappy but most of them are involve in one way or another
with crime. ( gangs members family or opposition politicians )
Muchas gracias por visitar nuestro pais. Mil gracias.
Keep in mine people ,that these “human rights “ individuals are from other countries and continents . they aren’t the ones who are being , robbed , extorted or murdered by the criminals. So maybe Bukele should ship them out to those activists neighborhoods as refugees 😂
indeed
He should just force these "people" into slaves. Make them useful for something.
@@robertw1800 I read on news the other day that well behaved gang members behind bars are allowed to be part of the “gang graffiti” cleaning and covering while being guarded by police
@@ricardo.acdhnd Well them cleaning up their own mess at gunpoint is a very good start. Next they should start digging 6 foot deep holes.
I went to El Salvador 2 weeks ago and it feels so much safer now. People are happy now because the government cares about them not like in the previous government.
Absolutely I firmly approve of President Bukeles strategy to wipe out the scourge of gang violence.Whatever force is needed to defeat gang terrorism is justifiable.It is essential that human rights groups and the State Department keep their noses out of El Salvadors internal affairs.Let the people of El Salvador decide what force is needed to quash gang violence.Bukele is not an authoritarian leader.He is merely responding to the needs of his people.
Estoy de acuerdo con su opinión excepto en que en nuestro país no hay quién regule o supervise de cerca el procedimiento y las acusaciones sobre las que se está arrestando a alguien pues le cuento que lastimosamente arrestan a una persona simplemente si alguien lo acusó vía telefónica, lo que me parece injusto para las personas que en realidad no tienen relación alguna con las Maras o agrupaciones ilícitas, esa es una mala manera de proceder, la otra es que algunos policías y soldados abusan de su autoridad maltratando a la persona que abordan y hasta amenazan con meterlos a la cárcel ( a esperar 1 mes dentro con toda clase maliantes ahí con una alta vulnerabilidad a muchas situaciones que dañan la integridad de una cualquier persona) solamente por el hecho de no querer ser maltratados como varios lo hacen al momento de pedir tus documentos e interrogarte, todo eso se llama autoritarismo y no estoy de acuerdo con el abuso del poder pero sí con limpiar nuestro país de toda esa lacra de malvados asesinos, extorsionistas y terroristas que aún están en libertad.
Very well said mi amigo 🇸🇻❤️🇸🇻❤️
I admire how he closed video confidence with Biden
Yo soy salvadoreño y en toda mi vida siempre soñe con alguien que hiciera algo asi, y por primera vez lo esta haciendo el presidente bukele. Yo mismo pude ver cuerpos de comerciantes tirado en la calle hace años atras, familias llorando a sus muertos, mujeres y niñas que fueron abusadas sexualmente y nunca se hizo nada contra esos terroristas. Les puedo decir que el 95% de los salvadoreños estamos felices que quiten a esos terroristas de la calle, jamas ningun presidente se preocupo tanto por el pueblo. GRACIAS PESIDENTE BUKELE.
@Sam Pimentel. Muy bien dicho!
I was born in Canada and my parents Salvadorian. I have visited El Salvador many times during my life before this last visit at the end March 2022 I haven’t been since 2015. I have to say the difference is staggering people are so much happier, tourist areas look brand new even roads. I almost didn’t recognize the airport area it was beautiful. Of course it’s not perfect but it’s like night and day, I felt safe and was able to visit areas I never did before. I spent a month there and wish I could’ve stayed longer I’ve never seen El Salvador this way in my life and I’m excited to go back. Also people there love the president I think most of criticism I have seen and heard from are from non Salvadorians and people outside the country. Honestly from being there and with Salvadorian people I also approve of him and what he is doing. I love El Salvador and hope he continues to bring it forward.
Im glad you can let us see the other side. But I hope the president also goes after the bigg fish behind the drugs and violence and not only the poor people who want to escape poverty by joining a gang.
I hope he does something about the poverty to. Becouse poverty breeds crime.
@@rodniegsm1575 it's hard getting the big fishes. Its like palying with fire. So cutting their fingers by destroying the Gangs will cause them to change
Yeah lots of time the people that live outside the country are rhe ones to make stupid comments like saying that Bukele is a dictator
I'm happy to hear that you saying...
Why don't you support electing someone like him in Canada then?
So I visited El Salvador in Dec of 2011 as a teenager and then in Oct of 2020 in my mid 20’s. The difference between trips was staggering. In 2011 i had to be careful of who I talked to and where i would go. But in 2020, i visited some of the most dangerous neighborhoods and felt completely fine. I even felt fine showing my tattoos in such areas. To my understanding and opinion, is that before the corruption and violence were blatant in your face as a salvadoran but after Nayib Bukele was put in office alot more people decided to be more low key about there operations therefore making the country more attractive to tourists
Thanks so much. That sounds like an incredible transformation. I was speaking with an old friend if mine who also works on conflict and has been to a fair few problem countries and he said that El Salvador was terrifying when he went - a few years ago now. Hearing these stories certainly explains why Bukele has such massive approval ratings.
@@JamesKerLindsay depends even when it was bad if you stay away from hot zones it wasn’t scary.
Tattoos are cringe
What going to happen when Bukele leave out of office and be replace by a Latino politician making the country to start back like how it was again (Seriously lack of safety, more instabilities, etc)
A country is a good as the civilization or demography with their ideologies and beliefs.
@@AngelloDelNorte wdym a latino politician? what is Bukele?
We the people of El Salvador feel happy, because we chose the right way, we don’t wanna be a test lab anymore, we want to be free and even though war ended in 1992, violence didn’t gangs replaced soldier and guerrilla fighters, that’s the biggest reason why we left our country “war and violence” our country couldn’t be clean by the same people who fought the war, but we tried, we chose Bukele because he is a clean person a very hard person to be extortion by international
And national powers, it sounds crazy and stupid but countries who say wanna help us only want to keep us in this kind of environment, it is really mind boggling.
So leave us alone 98% voted for him and if that is a dictatorship is because we decided and we can change if we want but right now he is working in our benefit, we will elect our presidents not the international community, stop playing with our lifes.
Gangs recruiting youngsters seem like a never ending problem. Theses extreme measures are not only about punishing murderers but to stop that vicious cycle.
As a Salvadorean National here, I just want you guys to know that my country is better, I have a dad doing time in prison for murder, and I can only imagine how badly he’s being treated right now, however, one must pay.
I left the country back in 2013 because of the violence, now all those gangsters that once threatened my community are either dead, in jail, or have moved on from gangs and now serve in local churches.
@Sky_army_leadEuouae huh?
usa won't let you live peacefully guys don't worry they will even support the gangs with guns and military intelligence cause you have deferent political ideology and your country is in usa area enjoy your peaceful days
@Zazef_Official_SkyArmy Im sure the 4 people he murdered would agree with you.
As a Salvadoreño myself, I hope you wake up and realize that Bukele is not the savior our country needs. He’s corrupt and lies. I find it sad how you care more the person having to “pay” for their crimes rather than reform from their ways to become a more productive member to society. You say the country is getting better, but when I look around I see people, more from the country side, finding it even harder and harder to survive. The price for beans has double from .50 to $1.00 per pound.
.
it's very, very easy to criticise from the comfort of overseas - but hamstringing a government that has a plan and has shown sucesses seems pretty weak. We can afford to make free speech sacrosanct, but in an environment where the realities are very different, and glory in the press can be chased by gangs, as well as serve to further destabilize, it's time to listen to bukele - not sanction him.
No it's not. The president has used the massacre from a few months ago as a platform to oppress the people, hell, they're even detaining people whose only crime is living in a bad zone. The worst thing of all is that said massacre was a consequence of bad faith actions made by the government after they were already in talks with one of the gangs (yesterday they were revealed audio tapes between one of bukele's guys and one gang). This government is as corrupt as the ones preceding him but the crypto bros don't want to look at that.
As someone who lives here don't believe his lies. He manipulates media. Murders are as active as ever if not worst and he just hides them. He has forbidden press to talk about the killings and has stopped counting them as well so that it looks as if they magically stopped. He is lying.
@@alep5158 spoken like a political opponent, though. no one's really to know.
Well put
Bravo 👏
Once again focusing on the negative and ignoring the positive of Bukele's government, there is plenty to talk about Bukele's actions in the benefit of the country that the people of El Salvador give high marks to the president. No one has done so much for the country in so little time than the actual president has. So many things are changing for the better in Health, education, infrastructure, agriculture, tourism and safety overall that the vast majority of the Salvadorean people support president Bukele in his actions combating crime. Who knows better about El Salvador than Salvadoreans? the so called experts on human rights living in another country? the politicians living in US or Europe? the foreign journalists repeating the same lies emanating from the opposition losing their privileges in the country? Visit El Salvador and talk to the real people on the streets who go to work every day trying to feed their families while hoping for a better future in a nation that consistently has had very bad governments in the past and finally has a president that is doing what we Salvadoreans want and demand.
Thank you! This is put so well, my parents are so happy and proud to be Salvadorian now because of the change my family living there feel safe and hopeful. This president has done do much for his people already when I was there in March this year I saw first hand how much he’s done and heard so many stories of how much has changed in the little time he’s been president. His approval there is like something I’ve never seen in the US or Canada.
You didn't understand the video very well then
Alexander , gracias por sus comentarios.
@@JoseVasquez-qx5gn James-Ker-Lindsay isn't wrong
@@RandomVidsforthought You don't understand Salvadoreans, obviously the majority of us think different than you and is because we have a first hand experience of what is like to live in El Salvador under fear of being another victim of crime. Focus on what the majority of Salvadoreans want from Bukele and not on what a group of people influenced by personal interests claim as dictatorship.
Dear Professor, the 30 years of the 2 major corrupt parties, led to the gangs take control on many communities, the majority of hard working Salvadorans ask for tough measures against the violent organized terrorists gangs, President Bukele is just doing what Salvadorans see necessary to stabilize the country and rid the country of terrorists gangs, don't confuse or mix non criminal Salvadorans with the general population. We want a country free of terrorists gangs. Don't hiver opinion of something You don't know or understand.
I visited El Salvador as a backpacker in 1994. Central San Salvador was, to be honest, terrifying. Most streets I walked down were flanked by shuttered shops and totally empty. The outskirts of town were busier. I ran into another American who lived there. He rightly told me I was crazy to be there (totally correct) and that the US government was deporting gang members to the county. I left San Salvador after only a couple nights. The rest of the country was peaceful, but I passed through quickly to Nicaragua. 🙂
Why did the American lived there?
And this happened in lot of Pacific countries too. When new zealand deported criminals to their home countries violence increased suddenly
@@ShubhamMishrabro Honestly, I can't remember. He was there for work, though. I know, because he was wearing a tie. 🙂
@@FredoRockwell ohh maybe for some narco deals😬😳
How did you move within the country? Was it by bus yet? It's the only means of transportation in Central America I found viable, but that was only 5 years ago 😅
I’ve worked with many Salvadorans back when I used to work in a factory and almost all of them had stories that could be movies. The amount of violence and atrocities that the gangs were committing was horrible.
One day a lady I worked with broke down in tears and found out that her cousin and uncle were killed after a gang shot up their bakery because they wouldn’t give up one of her female cousins (as a sex slave) to a gang leader.
Another girl I worked with was my age about and had one kidney and bullet wounds all over her back. She said the gangs would put drugs inside of her and make her traffick. At one stop she freaked out and went to the police, afterward the gang tried to kill her.
Those are only two stories of dozens of wild ones I heard.
See? Justification for Bukele to continue cracking down on the gangs as hard as possible?
@@maruku4445 Salvadorans know the real story. You have to trust us. There is a reason why he enjoys the highest approval rating of any leader in the free world.
@@inplainenglish1 I already know. I AM Salvadoran.
@@maruku4445 va pues.
I'm also a latin American citizen. We really do need the death penalty for these gang leaders. The problem is that latin america just does a slap in the hand for these violent organized criminals. We don't even have a proper life long imprisonment, most of these people can't be rehabilitated and even if their can this falls second to the safety of our society. Just get rid of them so they stop giving us further grief. Once our cou tries can at least take a break and have enough budget we can focus of their well-being, but our society and our innocent every day civilians who just want to work in peace honesty and not hurt others should come first. We are tired, every time you go out is like you're Bambi's mom, you never know when you are to be shot and you have to have a million eyes like you're some prey animal, you never know what day will be your last
I write from El Salvador, where I have lived for the last 20 years. I politely invite Mr. Ker-Lindsay to come and live in a poor Salvadoran neighborhood for a year and endure the gang violence and harassment. Then, I can guarantee that his perspective will change radically. I politely invite all the human rights advocates that are worried with the human rights of the gang members to live in such neighborhoods. Even when they live in El Salvador, they live in a safe neighborhood (as do I). Only two examples: the nephew of a coworker was murdered by the gangs because he had a minibus to feed his family and he refused to pay extorsion to the gangs. The body of a student of mine appeared cut into pieces in the beach.
Poor people are desperate and El Salvador is burning while the rich countries, NGOs and international organizations play the fiddle, like Nero, and congratulate themselves about how progressive, democratic, tolerant and evolved they are ... while poor people pay for this virtue signaling of privileged white people and pay with blood. Please, don't "help" us. We are fed up with moral busybodies that are safe in their homes and come in an imperialistic way with the force of rich countries and international organizations to protect the criminals and damage the normal people. Help your country if you want.
This
Have fun being a slave to Bukele.
Well said! It’s easy to be concerned with the human rights of those criminals from the comfort of their first world bubbles. Privileged virtue signaling as you stated.
Exactly!!!
I absolutely agree. These rich countries look down on us, like rich people born in a good cradle complaining complaining about "the poor" ... they have never faced the issues we have, in fact many of the issues we have are their fault! Backing up whatever militias and dictatorships serve the interests of the Gringo goverment. If they where in our position they too would be stuck or progressing slowly. They still have that colonial mentality that we are inherently inferior, that we are stupid and that they are just better than us. You can see it in the condescending attitudes 😒 when of those who say they are just "concerned for us"
Nayib Bukele is doing a great job.
There’s hope under his presence as president of El Salvador.
Why would anyone get mad at this after these gangs have killed so many innocent Salvadorans?
Peace must come before freedom. For us to be comparing measures taken to decrease extraordinarily high murder rates with the merits of press freedom is a luxury we can afford by virtue of living in peaceful countries.
It not luxury, it a privilege to live in a safe peaceful land. Becoming an mad men, don't give them any privilege that not earn
Freedom only comes if the dictator allows it to.
I support Bukele for what he’s doing to improve the lives of the people of El Salvador 🇸🇻
Hi, I am from El Salvador and I really like your analysis about this country. You are great explaining every single part of our history and the simplicity on how you narrate it including specific details that are really important, is just amazing. I just want to let you know that now, our country is having a true change which means that it won’t end in just words but in actions from our president Nayib Bukele. We are happy to have him as president of this country.
Thank you so much Carlos. I really appreciate it. I can understand that Bukele is very popular and that people support his measures. The gang violence was clearly horrific. It’s just that there are concerns about what this might mean for the country in the longer term. It’s a difficult balance. But I certainly wish the country well!
I feel that you presented this topic in an impartial way. Kudos to you, Prof. I liked the way you started off with some history of the country as well.
The one thing I can't help but notice is how the U.S. government tries to put their two cents into this situation and mentions how the press should have the freedom to do their job without fear of violence, repression or unjust detention. LMAO. 😂🤣😂
I just want to point out that this is the same U.S. government that is incessantly going after Julian Assange for exercising his right to free speech, his right to do his job as a journalist and his right to facilitate the job of other journalist to report.
What is known as the established opposition in El Salvador is using its deep rooted foreign network contacts to "spin" the recently passed laws that make it illegal for gangs and their collaborators to promote themselves and their terrorist activities. These laws do not affect legitimate news information channels who are reporting on gangs or their activities. 🤦♂️
It's about time the government takes drastic measures to combat this deep rooted cancer that affected Salvadorean society. It's growth was fostered and sponsored by years of endemic corruption that was the norm in past government administrations. El Salvador became a failed state and now it has the chance to undergo transcendental change and live up to its true potential. Are some human rights being violated along the way? Yes, absolutely, but it's a minority, almost a negligible amount.
Believe it or not, there are deep rooted interest, foreign and domestic, that want to keep El Salvador under their control so that Salvadoreans will continue to live under a reign of terror and impoverishment with no hope in sight but to leave their homeland while the powers that be continue to do as they wish, pillaging the country's economic resources, making pacts to allow more foreign 🇺🇲 military bases here in this country.
These "human rights" advocates who love to cry foul from their comfortable offices in their safe surroundings far from the action are just like loud barking dogs. All bark and no bite. Where were these so called "Human Rights" activists when all these innocent hard working Salvadorean civilians were being extorted, forcibly put under control in their own homes and neighborhoods by the respective gangs who ruled these neighborhoods. None of the "human rights" advocates said a damn word or cared about the human rights of decent hard working people who are trying their best to get their families ahead in life.
Now all of a sudden they are up in arms, screaming their lungs out all over the media because criminals and their collaborators are being dealt with.
💯
@@Lizethhc thank you Lizeth C.
Very well said, I'm mexican and it makes me happy to know your president is making El Salvador a safer place for the MAJORITY of it's citizens that were being robbed raped and extortioned by the minority. I hate these "human rights" activists that never did nothing to try and protect all the inocent people from these thugs.
@@deeshnutsh thank you Edgar. We appreciate all the well wishes and good vibes we have been receiving from all of our brothers and sisters all over Latin America and beyond. 🙌
Well said! I'm fed up with the West trying to protect criminals. Any meaningful conversation is thrown out the window by hysteria and ignorance due to the sensitivity of people nowadays. I'm happy that my brothers and sisters from the south are able to find peace again and hopefully soon, stability.
Viva Salvador! 🇸🇻 Sauldos desde Mexico!! 🇲🇽
I go to ES every 2 months since 2012. Bukele is doing a great job!!! GOD BLESS BUKELE!!
No he's not he got everyone brain washed
@@Chalateco913 Do you live in El Salvador?
@@adolfoorellana3428 yes I do, do you
@@Chalateco913 are you from the 3% or from the CIA?
@@adolfoorellana3428 besides the point all I know is I know you're country better than you ever will
My first trip in El Salvador was for 3 months in 2013 volunteering for an NGO. I remember reading the weekly murder rates in the headlines of the newspapers. But apart from being extra careful I had a great experience and fell in love with the country and started dating a Salvadorian man. I then came back in 2014 and lived there until 2017. The situation got worse. You could smell the fear and tension lurking in the air. During those years some municipal politicians were caught financing the gangs. This was in the newspapers. That's how the pandillas got so strong and kept retaliating. There was so much corruption back then... It's a miracle that Bukele is now the president. I have not went back to visit since then. When I was still there he had just become mayor of the capital and the condition of the city was already improving back then. I applaud him for his constant efforts. Like some people have already commented, you need to know how bad the country actually was to understand why he is taking such extreme measures. I know that it's becoming more developed and safer. He is giving opportunities to the youth to steer away from gangs. Thank you for this video.
Thank you so much Genevieve. It must have been fascinating to be out there, but also worrying and depressing to see its descent into violence. I can actually see why many people applaud Bukele. But it is important to be able to put political leaders on the spot and remind them that, even under extreme conditions, human rights matter.
@@JamesKerLindsay when they wipe out an entire family, and violate their daughter’s, mothers, cousins,sisters, and so on they loose those human rights. With all due respect, this is something you will never understand because you’re from a first world country and will never experience what our people have gone through for many decades. Perhaps you wanna take a trip to El Salvador and get a real life experience with the locals, I bet your concerns of authoritarianism will be the least of your worries.
@@JamesKerLindsay You people cry out for human rights for these terrorists and murderers,
but never for the thousands of families victims of their atrocities.
@@jorgeflores9511 🤦♂️
@@aldocardenas3282 🤦♂️ Criticizing an innocent person because they are a foreigner like blaming immigrants for taking jobs and being spies
I am a Salvadoran by birth and have lived in the USA for the past 40+ years. I have only visited twice and have found not to invest in real estate and other biz ventures. Reasons being are hearing other Salvadoran Americans say they got extorted once the gangs found out they were from here or worked their whole lives to loose it all because some inked up jerk wants 1000usd weekly for protection. One of my friends sons was murdered in his front step for a 14kt gold chain...gang realted as the perp had tats on his head... How fair is that?? I praise President Bukele and his cabinet plus all the Salvadoran Armed forces for doing a great job. It was about time the place was cleaned up. To comment on the human rights issue, where were all the watchdogs when innocent people were being slaughtered for pennies?? For the past 20yrs plus. If things keep looking up, I may just retire there in the future.
My cousin got mugged and robbed in the middle of the day while walking down the street to our grandmothers house. Yeah gang members did it. I hate them. However if you think Bukele is doing good then you’re just a brainwashed person that only cares about a profit instead of the people.
It isn't the watchdogs job to intervene.
@@0816M3RC But they shouldn't be quiet either when gangs do it
Finally in El Salvador we can walk around with no fear. Thank you Mr presidente Bukele for giving us the safety and peace that we never had before.
Great...president Bukele...is the best..I hope all Central America do the same that El Salvador....Go Bukele
I can't thank this channel enough for doing real reporting on issues no one else is talking about!! Please never stop
Thank you so much. It’s comments like this that genuinely make it all worthwhile. I know that these topics don’t always get the wider interest, but I love doing them. It’s really great to know that others like this wider approach too! Thanks again.
Thanks to talk about El Salvador
I am sure that we are going to be a better country within some years
We are glad to have one of the best presidents of the world Nayid Bukele.
Thanks. It really is a situation that should get much more international attention. It seems that Bukele is doing an incredible job cracking down on the gangs. And he seems an impressive figure. But there are worries about where it could lead.
Not one of the best THE BEST without a shadow of a doubt
Vivo en El Salvador y la verdad por primera vez se ve que un gobierno hace lo que se debe hacer con el tema de la delincuencia, respaldo total al presidente Bukele 👏👏👏🇸🇻
One day, Central America will be a beacon of liberty. A place of friendship and unity and a place without gangs and corrupt people. I believe Central America should peacefully unite into a single effective country.
How you succinctly summed up El Salvador's history was rather spot on. As a Salvadoran I find it refreshing that this administration is finally taking the matter of gang violence more seriously than prior ones. I'm definitely miffed that the US is quick to accuse Bukele of colluding with gang leaders, and let's assume it's true for the sake of argument, it didn't seem to mind when prior presidents would collude openly with gang members and rob the country blind once in office. The US was more than aware of the situation but as long as one country's geopolitical needs are met and unruffled that's all that matters when making sanctimonious remarks from a far. Hopefully this administration sets the proper groundwork for needed change lest we fall back into further injustice.
Thank you so much. As I mentioned, I can see both sides to this story. Bukele is clearly doing something right. But it is important to maintain the rule of law and not undermine the democracy you want to protect. It’s a difficult balance in these cases. I hope he succeeds.
@@JamesKerLindsay maybe that democracy you are talking about is not 100% good, maybe is good for you because you live in a confortable country having your job nice paycheck and not worry about gangs and people trying to get your money family.. I would love to see you living as a poor Salvadoran in a dangerous hood.. please do it.
@@alejandromazariegos9223 I'm glad this is happening... Even dial 123 to report any known gang members. The clean up is long awaited and it's the great partnership between the people and the government that is making this such a successful operation. Outside opinions can stay outside as they always have
@@alejandromazariegos9223 You say this right now buddy but theres a thin line between strong firm government and authoritarianism and this can quickly turn into a power chase and become what it once wasnt
@@Student0Toucher armchair quarterback....easy living
As Salvadoran you got your info as accurate as it can get. Outstanding!
Thank you very much!
I’ll be honest as a Salvadoran I found it really interesting the way other countries refer to El Salvador yes it has had a story of dictatorship however nowadays it is different, sure we entered a state of emergency the same as Canada did a couple months ago with the difference that this is not about some parked truckers but about serial killers and traffickers, yet no one said anything about them.
Second even if the amount of people caught by the police in the state of exemption that doesn’t means that they are taking innocent people, most gangsters were proud of it and openly admit to it that is why it has been so easy to target them also with 16k+ detention and there has only been one gangster death because he shot to the police and they responded, the USA can’t even handle a ticket stop without killing a driver
Third there is no restrictions on the media to report about gangs is the same as every other part of the word, the new law says that they are not allowed to spread the gangs messages not the they are not allowed to speak about them this is an important distinction because what this means is that the only thing they can’t show are things that further the gangs agenda example do you guys remember the attack in Switzerland if I recall properly where the guy used a go pro in his helmet and tried to simulate a first person shooter in a Muslim “church” yeah the media didn’t showcase it because that was the goal of the attacker, those are the things this new law prohibits to share
the people are with Nayib Bukele...the gangs deserve no mercy
Not according to the gringo, gangs are American assets, probably under cia control.
Expect American "freedom and democracy" soob
@@augustusaurelius2628 sources please?
@@mikenogozones source: every single Salvadoran you come across. All the poles in El Salvador, including those of the crooked media. Even they can't deny it
I will never understand the "authoritarian" accusation for following the rules our constitution put in place and for doing what "developed" democracies do daily without being questioned or accused of being authoritarian.
Except for the fact that Bukele has stacked all of the cards in his favor. His Party controls the Senate, the Courts are in his favor, he can now be reelected for a second term immediately after the first, etc. He may not have broken the Constitution yet, but he's doing everything in his power to make his voice unquestionable.
@@Hypogean7 his party was given a majority in Congress by the people in free and fair elections, the courts are controlled, appointed and ousted by Congress which is what our constitution says, and on the reelection issue the judges made a ruling on a case that was pending since 2014 even tho your insinuation is that it was changed cuze he wanted it. The fact is that you don't like the will of the people plain and simple.
Surprising our constitution and it's system was never an issue when the FMLN and ARENA were in power for the past 30 years.
@@leonardo22895 Maybe beceause neither of those parties had such insane majorities. Of course they were incredibely corrupt, but let''s be real, so is this administration. One of my uncles is one of the majors of the party, and it couldn't be more blatant how much money he's making on the job.
always odd how every single leader outside the western world who comes down hard on drug traffickers and organized crime is branded as a villain by western state departments and media. Almost like they have an "interest" in what these leaders oppose
@@DOPEdwarf Or maybe because half the people that have been arrested by the police were innocents that the police looked at funny.
Where was all the reporting when citizens where being robbed of their rights by the gangs,
kept citizens from enjoying life, where was the international humas right watch, when a law-abiding citizen was gun down coming home from from work by the gangs. Its easy to criticize from far away.
Just tell me, what would you do If that happens in your country?
I'm living In Arkansas and I'm from El Salvador, good job James looks like you work hard for this investigation everything on this video it's true
Thank you very much!
By the way, your videos are excellent: well informed, concise and neutral. I congrat you for your great work.
Thank you so much Raúl. I really appreciate it!
We are happy how the things are going. We thank and trust God that things will improve for the better or civilians. We want to become a developed country.
Having left my native land in1989 and never went back, I can honestly say that for the 1st time I am considering visiting my country. I only pray The Good Lord protect that man.
Hi James new subscriber here as a Salvadoran living in the United States. I can say Bukele is the best thing that happened to El Salvador. It was time to make a real change.
Thanks. And a very warm welcome! :-)
I can certainly see both sides to this situation. Bukele has clearly done amazing things. But there are still concerns about the way he is doing them and what it might mean in the future. It just seemed such an interesting and important story to look at, especially as it doesn’t get much international attention.
@@JamesKerLindsay good video btw. But i think your concerns should be categorised as just that.. a concern, and in the face of continual attrocity, maybe a price that should be paid short term for a more human long term. This country quite possibly needs a benevolent dictator to disrupt the deep foundations of criminal enterprise you alluded to in your video, for real systemic change to take place.
It's like the maslows hieracrchy lesson.. you may fret about the quality of your social life, sure.. but if you cant feed yourself, i doubt there is such room for social concerns.
and just to be clear, i am fiercely independent and hold freedom of expression and living in the highest of regards, but that belief only holds true when everyone(to extent) can share in those virtues, which cannot happen under brutal gang warfare and all it affects.
Glad that a country in Latin American is a topic of a video. With so much occurring in Latin America, like violence, elections, economies, it seems like analysts are missing opportunities.
Thanks so much. I really wanted to do this video. It is such an interesting and little-covered topic. Sadly, and as I expected, it is doing *really* badly in terms of views. It is such a shame. I think this is why other channels tend to avoid the region. It just doesn't attract the wider interest. (And the trouble is that you can't build that interest if people just don't want to watch the video in the first place. It is a vicious circle.) Given all the time, effort and cost that goes into making a video, it is really disheartening when you see it sink. But I will certainly continue to cover the region when I can.
And if you have any suggestions about how to attract more interest, I would be really keen to hear them. Needless to say, if you can think of sharing it, that would be great.
@@JamesKerLindsay professor you’re not wrong about viewership regarding Latin America and even African affairs. Regarding Latin America, it should be more of a concern to those if us in the States because democracy is at jeopardy on our hemisphere, plus needless to say, crime and corruption are up. As for topics in Latin America, I think there are a few but more importantly perhaps it would be the Brazilian and Colombian elections, especially since Brazil is a huge market and Colombia follows the USA (overall in everything). Also there’s a rise of extremism. I’m sorry these topics do not increase viewership but I wonder if there is an opportunity for you to excel (or capture audience) in an area that others aren’t interested in researching, meaning there’s a “market” or a demand, albeit low, but there’s no supply. There are many of us interested in analysis of Latin American affairs with littler CZcamsrs interested in tapping that. Just my thoughts, I could be wrong.
@@Wolfmon555 Usually when democracy is at jeopardy in Latin America it is following not preceding US concerns.
@@JamesKerLindsay i'm sadend to read this prof. i'm a huge fan, and i will watch anything you put out because it's always quality. whether i'm initially attracted to the subject or not, your analysis is so good, that it'll be interesting to me. as a resident of Jerusalem i would gladly give up some of the hyper coverage we get, for more reporting from the rest of the world.
please keep in mind that even on a lower rated presentation you're still reaching 10's of thousands of people on a weekly basis! your interaction with your viewers is another thing that makes your channel unique. Thanks!
As a Salvadorian I support the state of emergency measures.
Living safely under an "authoritarian" government is better than living in fear under a "democratic" government. People are finally starting to feel safe, and it's thanks to this president.
Thanks for another interesting video. The broad range of subjects keeps me looking forward to the next one.
Thanks so much. I’m really glad to hear this. Unfortunately, there doesn’t tend to be much interest in South America. (The viewing figures on this video are atrocious.) But I think it is such an interesting area.
I hope so, the monopoly on violence needs to be held by law enforcement not by private citizens
Good luck El Salvador
Thanks for laying out the situation in El Salvador which a topic of current concern for the US given the situation on its' southern border. Many driviing factors are contributing & in your video the facts are fairly & accurately described. Thanks so much.
Still El Salvador is an example on how to give fully security to your good people and not get scared against criminals.
I’m a Salvadorian Living in Texas and all I can say is Good Job Bukele!!!!!
Maybe one Day Someone will have the balls to do something similar Here in Houston.
Thank you for this video, I actually saw an episode of Channel 4's Unreported World programme dedicated to the gang violence in El Salvador, that episode was made back in 2018, and I am so sorry to hear that things only got worse over there
Thanks Roger. It is a really interesting situation. Overall, the violent death rate has been dropping significantly. But there have been a couple of these spikes. I think the other commenter is right. It seems that the gangs are on the ropes. The big question is what this might mean for El Salvador in the period ahead. Bukele has obviously done wonders. But at what price?
@@JamesKerLindsay Well said, thank you Sir!
Couldn't the international/regional community help to fund anti-gang measures like prisons, courts, investigators, and law enforcement? Surely, there is enough reason to allocate the funding. Protecting and training law enforcement and the judiciary seems to be crucial given the experience of the Italians against the mafias.
That would be complicated because in the regional aspect they also do not have the resources and in a larger scale you have to consider political willingness, political interest and ways to not infringe a state’s sovereignty.
@@johnrey7326 that’s all true, however some governmental structures are just too corrupt that would make it complicated for them to allocate resources for other countries. For example when the pandemic hit Central America El Salvador helped Costa Rica, Honduras and Guatemala, yes you are right that is not complicated but countries also need to have political will. In the present political climate in El Salvador I think it will motivate countries like Honduras and Guatemala to do the same thing and clean out their house. Perhaps they can even create an regional IGO or agreement that focuses on getting gang members because they are the main ones that destabilize states.
Thanks so much. As has been pointed out, I think that there have been a lot of efforts to try to tackle the problem. The EU has also provided funds. But it seems that it required a rather complex approach. It seems Bukele has managed to find the secret to managing the problem. But obviously there are worries about what this means in wider terms. But I can imagine that many citizens will see it as worthwhile given the changes that are seemingly taking place.
No, no. Let's just send a military intervention to bring freedom and democracy to those poor oppressed cia employe- i mean "suspected gang members" as the gringo in the video called them.
The Biden administration just defund the security assistance to the police in ESA last year and transferred to the Human Rights, opposition organizations and disruptive activists in the country. Same for Honduras and Guatemala. The US government, any, is not trustworthy
Thank you for pointing out the changes in El Salvador!.......As a Salvadoran I can say that I am happy with things sorting for the better!...Press has not lost theirs rights: what is prohibited is press from assuming the role of speakers or giving space to these gangs. These media firms are the same denied spaces to opposition parties and peace movements in the late 80´s because they received checks from the military and extreme right parties. So...le´ts just say Bukele is helping out karma!!
Thank you very much. I can certainly see that a lot if people strongly support the president. And I can certainly see why. But it is important to bear in mind how a lot of these actions against criminals could well be used against political opponents in future. It’s just seems important for people to bear this in mind.
Thank you for this, very direct and concise, no wasted language, excellent video.
Thank you for your superb foreign relation insights Professor!
Would you maybe consider making a video about how a lasting peace in eastern europe could look like and be constructed? This is a difficult topic to come by informed opinions on.
Thanks. Great suggestion. I hope to take a look at some of the frozen conflicts in eastern Europe over the next few weeks. But it might be good to try to pull it together. The trouble is that it is still early to see where all this is going.
thank you, this was interesting and even helpful as some of my colleagues are from El Salvador
Thanks. It would be really interesting to know what they think about the situation. Do they see Bukele as a saviour? Or do they feel he might be going in a worrying direction?
@@JamesKerLindsay I asked and been told that Bukele has some Putin _qualities_ - it is not advised to speak about him.
I translated it for myself as definite yes for the second question.
Finally someone knows and speak and exposed the good work is being done in El Salvador ❤️🇸🇻❤️🇸🇻
Thank you so much. I really appreciate it. I know that this is a difficult issue for Salvadoreans. But I hope I covered it fairly.
As a salvadorean born, i am verrrrrry happy and honored and blessed with my current president NAYIB BUKELE❤❤❤❤❤❤❤👍👍👍👍.. I know what it feels to be a gang free country YOU GUYS DONT your just drinking a venti ice coffee and giving an opinion over something your clueless about
I grew up there in my teens years and let me tell you that’s exactly what we needed down there and basically an informal war from the gangs so why not make it a war then. Gangs have not picked up extortion money from my dads place since the state of emergency started. Everyone is more happier easygoing and more freedom
Professor, since you're at it, could you make a video about the taliban and its relatioship with opium? The mexican cartels also would be a good topic, because there are too much rumours around it and it's hard to know what either it's truth or not.
The next war US troops with boots on the ground will have to fight is not Ukraine, but Mexico and central America (Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras),
against the gamgs and drug cartells.
But they are so powerful, have much money, are well intrenched into society, that regular military personal is pretty much left without a chance.
It is guerilla warfare in cities against an opponent not bound to any rules, with most modern equipment money can buy, and the US companies are happy to provide these weapons for a handful Dollares.
Cannot get more bloody (and scary) than that.
Thank you for discussing this issue. I'm here to listen for now.
So I visit El Salvador When I was still a kid in 1999 I went back July 2021 And I can't describe the great but wonderful changes that the country has made When I went as a little kid I actually was scared I could see That the country was not a safe place to be Now It's a whole different story I'm planning to move and live in El Salvador It's very very safe Thanks to this new president
I appreciate your reporting and I just wish to add being married to my husband who was born in El Salvador 1972, I’m well aware of the history. You left out the corruption from past presidents who were funneling money out of the government to phantasm accounts of government workers who never existed. Ministers who were living lavish lifestyles and permitting gangs to grow and paying them off millions to vote for the corrupt government leaders who held power for decades until NB won office. This is just cliff notes to history. Please report and investigate all the money that was laundering under so called non profits. Please report and investigate to say from past governments how much Presidents stole year after year and are in exile in other countries now, with non extradition laws. Government officials and justices never working for the citizens of El Salvador just collecting well paid checks as a civil servant but the people working for peanuts. Infrastructure is not how it was then to now. Beautiful airport now, Surf City last year ever for the country to Host a international event. Roads ,bridges and hospitals being built and state of the art hospitals in all of Central America. Public schools and children getting tablets and wifi with all the money now that was being stolen before. So yes NB is not dictator and your leading viewers to believe he plans on wanting to be but that’s not the truth. The people voted for him and his new political party were voted in. He has fed the citizens during this awful pandemic and made it he’s top priority to get as much vaccines as possible for them. Had strict restrictions on quarantine because he loves his people. People over corrupt government is what he stands for.
@Elīas Galdames . Thank you!!!👏👍🇸🇻...
🇸🇻 BUKELE SAID IT LOUD AND CLEAR:
THOSE COUNTRIES WORRIED ABOUT "THESE LITTLE ANGELS" HUMAN RIGHTS, ARE INVITED TO TAKE THEM TO YOUR OWN TERRITORIES...IF YOU CARE SO MUCH! BESIDES HE SAID, I NEVER HEARD ANYBODY WORRIED ABOUT THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF THE HONEST AND HARD WORKING CITIZENS WHO HAVE BEEN KILLED BY THESE TERRORIST...OR ONLY THESE "MONSTERS" HAVE RIGHTS?
The only ones concerned about the direccion ES is taking are those who for decades had ES under their feet...
Now ES is living a true independence..
Way to go Mr President Bukele..
James Ker-Lindsay isn't lying though
Excellent job.
I expected a poorly researched and biased video, but I was left impressed 😂😂.
As someone that grew up in El Salvador during the 90s-13 and saw a lot of that violence and even experienced some, I am happy in the directing that the president is taking El Salvador. I received my bachelorette in the US and as an American citizen I like reading about El Salvador’s new president. One of my hobbies is to learn about geopolitics and from that perspective, it seems to me that Nayib is playing a bigger game. If you watch his actions and rhetoric it’s clear that he wants to make El Salvador strong internally and cut back some leverage that the US has over the country.
He wants to consolidate Guatemala and Hondura back again. He doesn’t want to do it by means of military action, but with the promise of change. Look at what he donated to Honduras during COVID. Guatemala has agreed to let El Salvador use their naval ports. To be a strong leader you almost have to become a little authoritarian. (At least in a third would country and plagued with corruption.)
Guatemala and Honduras are both suffering from corruption and gang violence and not to mention the reoccurring natural disasters hunting Honduras. With this in mind, I am curious whether Bukele can unite the three countries and bring peace to the suffering population.
Bukele has alluded to it many times and there seems to be populous support in Honduras, but international rule will go crazy if this happens. Unless they become something like the EU, but three countries merging under the one authoritarian leader 😂😂😂😂
That sounds too crazy and the UN and the US will immediately intervene and start sanctioning. 😂
I enjoyed watching your video.
You got a new subscriber :)
Hopefully you can make more content about this country.
Just like how the Philippines president tackled the drug menace i hope Salvador kicks out it's gang menace in whichever way possible.
Great topic Dr Ker Lindsay, interesting to look at the domestic situation in the country long term, which I was largely unfamiliar with, I learned a lot!
I think regardless of whether he is an authoritarian, or in what corrupt ways works the back rooms with gang leaders to stop the gang violence, Bukele is an important figure in the Central and South America region, which in the last few years has been going through a “new Pink tide” and seen several new countries throw out Classicalist pro-Western constitutions. Bukele is a firm Classicalist and is pro-Western providing a stopper to the growing Cuban, Venezuelan and indirectly Chinese influence that’s been growing in the region. One benefit that could come if he does become a long-term leader would be the possibility he could put together a coalition with like-minded allies in the region, a “new White tide” if you will.
Anyway thanks for the video professor, I definitely learned a lot!
Thanks! It was so interesting to take a closer look at this issue. The trouble of gang violence is very well known, but the Bukele factor is fascinating. He does seem to be a strange figure politically: a centrist liberal with authoritarian populist tendencies and a willingness to crack down on human rights to tackle the gangs. And he seems happy to have a pop at Western countries when they criticise him. He certainly seems to be a figure to watch.
The President of El Salvador is doing the right thing. Violence must be stopped, and those committing the crimes must be locked in prison. If you can’t live without harming others then you’ll live life behind bars.
As a Salvadoran, this President has been all but amazing cracking down corruption, gangs and improving the economy for its people. They are doing the right thing keeping the working communities safe! Never been so proud of my own country 🇸🇻🇸🇻 God Bless President Bukele
great video once again professor, could it be possible for a video on the topic of myanmar and the current state of the conflict?
Thanks. Great suggestion. I would certainly like to do something on this.
I just visited El Salvador for a few days in March 2022. Overall, I felt safe. The locals did warn me several times to be careful though.
Thanks. Interesting to hear a view from someone went there recently. It does seem as though there has been a huge improvement.
As a Salvadorian citizen I can say that we are very happy with our president Nayi Bukele.
I went to El Salvador 🇸🇻 several times by the end of the 90’s and beginning years of our new millennium. I didn’t have any issues at that time, but I know that it worsened the following years. Violence and criminality reputation was a fact, but I think that the hand of God came to help them and that they are being led in the right direction.
No wonder why his popularity is above any government in the world.
Hope you make a video about my country next about the Mexican drug war! Good video! 👍 🇲🇽
Thanks Pascual. I would really love to make some videos on Mexico. It is an incredible country. I had the chance to go a few years ago and adored it.
I support the actions taken to fix the violence. The only way to stop bad people, is with good people with gun. Keep it going.
First time I watch a video of yours, very instersting and well done job
You got a new subscriber
I hope that success latin america has a lot of potencial an is full of amazing people its a shame that corruption and instability is so extended
Thanks. I agree. It is shocking to see the damage that the gangs, drugs and corruption has done to the region.
Unfortunately, being where it is hasn't helped Central America succeed. To much foreign intervention, too much violence due to drug demand overseas, and overall a lack of acceptance of social reforms due to foreign and local economic interests.
@@FOLIPE
Also Latino demography don't have the best ideology and "cultures" (they build serious lack of safety, instabilities, "intensity", etc in general) which is why Latin America is "in how it is".
Even in USA the state of CA most intense cities are Stockton, San Bernardino, and compton (see the ethics demography and is ppl that should've been in Latin America).
If the US legalised and regulated all drugs I think it would lead to the largest reduction of human suffering in our history, especially in Latin America. Imagine instead of gangs smuggling cocaine from Colombia its large pharmaceutical companies exporting it to the US legally.
Yes, because legalized and regulated OxiContin caused no suffering at all.
@@isoldam he has a good point. The US has a major drug problem and part of the problem is criminalising addicts. These people are forced to go to gangs to get their fix. It also means people could be putting stuff potentially much more dangerous in their bodies, since it's not regulated.
If the US offered legal routes for obtaining drugs, it would combat organised crime. This has already been proven to work with the prohibition on alcohol.
This then needs to be followed up with initiating the necessary social programs to combat the route cause of drug abuse. Most people get into drugs for a reason - to take away pain, for an escape, to try and forget about their problems, etc.
The US state is responsible for its own citizens getting hooked on drugs by actively making life hard/impossible for many of its citizens, which actually costs more money than trying to help them.
The gangs just take advantage of the US abuse of its own citizens and criminalising drug use drives people to said gangs.
The US government seems to see drug use as the cause of crime, whereas in actuality it's the symptom of societal issues. Drugs are the treatment people turn to and the gangs are the only ones offering that to them. In essence, the US government has given drug gangs a monopoly on the drug trade.
Drugs need to be decriminalised and legal options made available to combat organised crime, terrorist organisations and accidental deaths from people taking dodgy drugs. This will also defund violent groups across the world which many countries are spending billions trying to fight each year.
But after drugs become legalized where would gang members now earn their money? Most people get into illegal drug selling to earn big money fast. Legal companies with law-abiding employees will not pay their employees as big a sum of money. Also, many people who enter the criminal life choose to because they want an unconventional life: work when they need money; do not have to take orders from a "weak" boss.
Not gonna work as much like ppl think though
@@answerman9933lol, you really thunk gang members add value to society?
Omg you are amazing.the time it must took to learn so much about a country not your own. 10/10
Thank you for sharing some of your wisdom
I love this channel
I just don't understand how James knows every single country on the planet and it's leaders and the problems facing the countries that's impressive.
Thank so much! :-)
Well, of course I don't! But we both know that. :-) But I have taught international relations and conflict studies for many years and so know how different situations relate to broader concepts. For example, this week's video ties in to a lecture I often give on small arms violence. When I saw that there had been a sudden spike in killings in El Salvador I immediately made the link. It is then a case of researching the cases in more detail and knowing where to look for accurate information. It's really a question of spotting ties between events and ideas and writing them up. Except, of course, when it comes to South East Europe. I know that area particularly well. That's my home territory! :-)
Bukele is not only "the leader of ending the gangs" or "the leader of Bitcoin", Bukele has done many more things for the country, thus increasing the country's GDP. His relations with other countries have helped to build new buildings, and for one they are building that will be "one of the best libraries in Latin America." From the beginning, Bukele wanted young people to have a good education so that they would not become evil people, giving them laptops, books, scholarships, and more food, to those communities most in need. We know who we chose as the leader, because from the beginning as mayor, whenever he said he would do something, he did it. I do not see a dictator man as many say, I see a man who really wants to move his country forward. And you know what? If in the future he becomes an authoritarian man, in any case, he will have already made history, because, with everything he has done and what is still missing, he has already made history. At the moment he is focusing above all on El Centro of El Salvador because they know that more tourists have been arriving and that in part it is a very good investment. Bukele's great dream has been for El Salvador to be a first world country, and yes, it may seem impossible, but in reality, if he continues on the right path, it can be achieved. So for me the best president in the world. Any Latin American envies El Salvador for having such a president.
Thanks so much. I can certainly see why he is so popular in the country. He seems to be achieving impressive results. But I think there are worries about the long term consequences of this. But, again, I can certainly see why many people would prefer to focus on the important positive changes taking place right now.
@@JamesKerLindsay It can have consequences, but if he decides to delete the regime very soon since there will still be many gang members to review, which could cause them to come with more fury.
@@noalperiodismodelincuencia5352 personally i don't understand the concerns of the author, maybe concerns of real historical type of dictatorship if things go bad or even worse, when you Nation starts to be competitive for that "modernity" you crave about, you can be sure outside sources of power will do their best too destabilize your Nation, about current events, outstanding, this is a powerful message for individuals that jeopardize national and community interests through violence and fear.
@@antoniolima1068 In my opinion, "respecting their rights" would not make gang members change, because from experience I know that these guys are psychopaths and that their souls are already rotten, so trying to guide them on the right path would be a waste of time. Of course there are some who have learned or have gone to the straight path of life, but the thing is like this, whoever wants to change will do it and whoever doesn't, won't, whether they receive their human rights or not. The best thing would be the death penalty, that way so many prison constructions are avoided and if in the future (if they served the years of sentences, because many are going to rot in jail) the population would not be in danger again. Another important detail is that the regimen should not be released until they capture the majority, since, as I mentioned in my previous comment, it could bring about the consequence that they could arrive with more fury. But only time will truly show the "long-term" results.
Of course, the death penalty would have to be for those who have committed more crimes or the ringleaders.
So I think this regimen is fine, but it's not perfect and of course, it needs to be stretched out even more.
President bukele is doing a great job .I support 100 % all his work in the helping all the good citizens of el salvador 🇸🇻. Keep the good work 👏 President bukele.
I visited El salvador 🇸🇻 18 year's ago everyday someone on other block was murdered the day I left there was 26 homicides it's a beautiful country and needs to be cleaned up thn tourism would help that country alot God bless
God, I hate hearing about how "concerns have been raised" every time a politician takes any measures that don't conform to liberal values.
“Concerns” by NGOs none the less
The truce between the El Salvadorian government and MS-13 reminds me of the so-called "peace talks" between Erdogans government and the PKK, which lasted for a couple of years and resulted in the PKK taking over many Turkish cities, arming themselves heavily and declaring war against the state. There is a reason why you don't negotiate with crime bosses and terrorists, because this undermines the state monopoly on the use of force.
Turkish cities? or you know, Kurdish ones? there's a rather large difference between gangs fighting only for money and power and a marginalized ethnic group fighting for what it considers justice. if you make being Kurdish illegal then well yes, they'll turn to crime then won't they.
@@dominikrode8184 Casually justifying massacres of whole villages (Basbaglar 1993, Pinarcik 1987), bomb attacks against students and assassinations of soldiers, policemen and teachers in Southeastern Turkey, well done dude. Because the lives of Turkish citizens don't matter. Yes, Turkish cities, any other questions? As I said, if you challenge the state monopoly on the use of force, there will be consequences. If I take up arms tomorrow and kill policemen, I'll have to expect them to come and arrest or kill me, not that they negotiate with me and give me presents. The world does not work that way. And being Kurdish is not illegal, this policy of Turkification has long ended decades ago after realizing that it doesn't work as intended.
@@KnowDude just as many massacres and killings were done to the Kurds. nobody should ever need to have died but we all know the Turkish government has a horrible track record with minorities within it's borders.
@@dominikrode8184 Ok dude, in your country, murdering policemen and soldiers and extorting villages seems to be a normal form of protest, so I don't know what else I could say. Only that I hope that we will never repeat the mistake to negotiate with terrorists again. Your country is free to do so.
@@KnowDude the thousands of human rights abuses the turkish state has committted to the kurds isnt a normal form of governance either is it. the thousands murdered raped and tortured and the entire missing kurdish villages.
facts! great video ❤
Thank you very much!
Im salvadorean and finally I can say my country is safe ! Thanks God and Bukele
El Salvador is a perfect example of the concept that every rule has exceptions -- including the rule that authoritarianism is always bad. A thoughtful dictator who solves problems is better than a reactionary legislature that doesn't.
Thoughtful? Nayib Bukele is anything but that. He's one of the most deceitful and manipulative persons to ever exist in the El Salvador political scene. Behind these measures to fight gangs hide many obscure and doubtful practices, such as the deviation of state funds to his and his allies bussinesses, avoidance of due process in all of these captures, policemen are just making sure to meet their quota just a portion of this arrested people are actually gang members. Not to mention the fact that he passed a law to make bitcoin legal currency and as such he can gamble with state funds as he pleases. And lastly let's not forget the hate fueled/filled speeches/tweets that are only dividing our country more and more. So no, he's not thoughtful, he's not good, he's a conniving man that just so happens to be incredibly charismatic and it just sad that people are taking too long to realize that.
@@FernandoHernandez-pm3ty : Can you provide links to the information you mentioned? I want to see how objective the reporting is, because the complaints you mentioned sound like completely stereotypical political attacks.
Nice of you to give a break to putin trolls!
Haha! I needed a break from dealing with them! :-)
Very well researched.
Time for the rest of the world to follow suit it's time to stop these criminals that has being terrorizing poor people for decades..
I think there is a huge misunderstanding. Democracies are weak against organized crime. That is a fact. See Europe dealing with Putin, Italy dealing with mafia, and the US dealing with drug trafficking. It is time to accept the fact that we need to be really strong against crime for democracy to thrive. Human rights are nice in Denmark and Finland, but they had to secure the rule of law first.
Democracy only works if everyone is a law abiding citizen. i believe since criminals live outside the law, they should be met with harsher punishments.
not just that but Nayib is doing exactly what the population wants and that is the very definition of democracy. I myself don't like some of his ways. but the guy is doing a great job; who am I to judge.
Finally someone said it right authoritarianism doesn't help.
How does it not help?
I think every democracy on Earth has an extra powers clause in its constitution just for these sorts of situations.
And the people support it.
Sadly is the only thing that's working right now even if temporarily even though the west doesn't like it. Personally I am ok with it since the alternative to it is being killed for leaving your neighborhood.
@@andrejparunovic6888 It hasn't helped historically, just look at South America or 30s Europe. If history isn't enough to convince you, nothing will.
@@FOLIPE so you're just going to ignore the aftermath of ww1, and the things that actually led to the creation for the regimes from the 30s Europe? If Britain has actually kept its promises, the the entente forces decided to crush communism at its infancy, and the treaty of Versailles was carried out differently, then the fascist regimes (nor socialist/communist egimes) would have come to power and far fewer people would have been killed during the earth century.
The same country that act high and mighty about their liberal democracies these days, are the same ones that created (directly or indirectly) much of the problems they claim to oppose.
Thanks for doing your job, the truth is gold!! Others only criticize
Thank you very much!
Thank you for your high quality content, always a very high standard. Would you consider making a video on Transnistria, and how the recent developments there and Russia's invasion of Ukraine tie up with the territory's history?