# El Salvador security model influence in Latin America > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/el-salvador-security-model-influence-in-latin-america > Updated: 2026-09-11T20:09:15.000Z. Sources: 23. Developments: 7. El Salvador’s security and governance models have begun influencing prison and public security policies across Latin America. Initial observations focused on the country’s use of megacarcels, gang repression, and a state of exception. This influence transitioned into formal diplomatic and educational exchanges, such as an August 2026 seminar in Uruguay that allowed regional authorities to study Salvadoran institutional transformations. The model is increasingly being exported through political narratives. In Brazil, right-wing presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro stated he is ‘inspired’ by President Nayib Bukele’s methods following a meeting with Security Minister Gustavo Villatoro in São Paulo. Bolsonaro aims to implement a strict plan to combat crime, citing El Salvador’s reduction in homicide rates as evidence of success. Defending the strategy during an interview in Argentina, Minister Villatoro asserted that ‘political will is key’ to defeating organized crime and terrorist organizations. He argued that traditional penal systems are often ineffective against such structures and suggested that international criticism stems from El Salvador becoming a successful example of how to defeat criminal organizations. The Salvadoran approach relies on high coordination between security forces, the military, intelligence, and the judiciary, alongside the construction of large-scale prisons. In September 2026, regional interest expanded to Chile. Public Security Minister Martín Arrau and Gendarmería acting director Angélica Briones met with Salvadoran representatives to study penitentiary control and management models. The delegation visited facilities including the High Security Special Penitentiary Facility (REPAS) and the Santiago Sur Preventive Detention Center to explore lessons learned for addressing transnational criminal organizations. Salvadoran Minister of Security and Justice Héctor Villatoro emphasized that a robust penitentiary system is vital for keeping streets safe. Conversely, Uruguay has moved to distance itself from this approach. ## Claims - Flávio Bolsonaro stated he is inspired by the security methods used by El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Flávio Bolsonaro aims to implement a strict security plan in Brazil to protect citizens and victims rather than criminals. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Homicide rates in El Salvador have reached historic lows under Nayib Bukele's administration. (corroborated by 4 sources) - El Salvador's Security Minister, Gustavo Villatoro, met with Flávio Bolsonaro in São Paulo. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Human rights organizations criticize the Bukele administration for its reliance on a state of emergency. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Nearly 100,000 people have been arrested and imprisoned in El Salvador without warrants under the current state of emergency. (corroborated by 2 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-11: Uruguay rejects Bukele security model with new National Security Plan Uruguay has launched a 10-year National Security Plan to fight crime through democratic and participatory methods, deliberately rejecting the authoritarian security model used in El Salvador. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uruguay-rejects-bukele-security-model-with-new-national-security-plan ### 2026-09-08: Chile evaluates El Salvador's prison security models Chilean officials are studying El Salvador's prison security and organized crime management models to address domestic security and penitentiary control challenges. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chile-evaluates-el-salvadors-prison-security-models ### 2026-09-02: El Salvador Security Minister defends Bukele’s crime combat model El Salvador’s Security Minister Gustavo Villatoro defended President Bukele’s security model in Argentina, citing political will as essential to defeating organized crime and gangs. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/el-salvador-security-minister-defends-bukeles-crime-combat-model ### 2026-08-31: Flávio Bolsonaro seeks to adopt El Salvador's security model in Brazil Brazilian presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro seeks to implement El Salvador's security model in Brazil, citing President Nayib Bukele's success in reducing crime despite human rights criticisms. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/flvio-bolsonaro-seeks-to-adopt-el-salvadors-security-model-in-brazil ### 2026-08-18: El Salvador shares security and governance models with Latin American officials El Salvador and Uruguay co-hosted a seminar on security and local governance, sharing El Salvador's institutional and territorial transformation strategies with Latin American officials. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/el-salvador-shares-security-and-governance-models-with-latin-american-officials ### 2026-08-18: Bukele security model gains influence across Latin America Nayib Bukele's security model and digital political strategy are gaining influence across Latin America, inspiring new prison projects and hardline political campaigns in countries like Colombia. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bukele-security-model-gains-influence-across-latin-america ### 2026-08-07: El Salvador's security model influences Latin American prison policies El Salvador's security policies under Nayib Bukele, characterized by the use of megacarcels and a continuous state of exception, are being modeled by several other Latin American leaders. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/el-salvadors-security-model-influences-latin-american-prison-policies --- Cite as: El Salvador security model influence in Latin America. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/el-salvador-security-model-influence-in-latin-america