El Salvador Security Minister defends Bukele’s crime combat model

El Salvador’s Security Minister, Gustavo Villatoro, has defended the security model implemented by President Nayib Bukele during an interview in Argentina. Villatoro emphasized that “political will is key” to defeating organized crime and terrorist organizations, arguing that traditional penal systems are often ineffective against such structures.

The Minister addressed criticisms from international organizations and NGOs, suggesting that these entities attack the government because El Salvador has become a successful example of how to defeat criminal organizations. He asserted that the administration’s strategies have high domestic support and have successfully reversed decades of violence caused by previous administrations.

The security approach in El Salvador involves high levels of coordination between internal security forces, the military, intelligence services, and the judiciary to target gang members, specifically the Maras. This strategy has included the construction of large-scale prisons to manage high inmate populations.