El Salvador security transformation analyzed in new book

The book ‘Cero Crimen’ (Zero Crime), authored by Sharon Gal-Or and Yossi Abadi, examines the security transformation in El Salvador under President Nayib Bukele. The work analyzes how the nation transitioned from being one of the world's most dangerous countries to a significantly safer environment by challenging long-standing political status quos.

To achieve this shift, President Bukele declared a state of emergency, leading to the detention of approximately 90,000 suspected gang members. While the government has seen high approval ratings—around 80 percent—and visible urban improvements, such as the opening of a $61 million hospital and new infrastructure, the policies have faced intense criticism. Human rights activists and the Church have raised concerns regarding the potential deaths of innocent individuals during the crackdown.

The authors suggest that once security is established, El Salvador faces the new challenge of determining how to build a sustainable future and what national objectives should follow the recovery of public safety.