May 19
The Bukele Model: Authoritarianism and Public Security in El Salvador
In March 2022, El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele launched an aggressive anti-crime campaign marked by a state of emergency, mass arrests, and military deployment, resulting in the incarceration of over 1% of the population by 2024. This crackdown led to the near-total disappearance of the maras, formerly dominant gangs, and drove homicide and extortion rates to historic lows. Despite serious human rights abuses, Bukele’s popularity surged, with approval ratings reaching 90%. His apparent success contrasts sharply with prior failed or counterproductive “mano dura” policies across Latin America, challenging prevailing assumptions about the efficacy of repressive crime control. Manuel Meléndez-Sánchez will speak about these trends and how they constitute a model that other Latin American presidents and world leaders wish to emulate.
Monday, May 19, at 4:30 pm, in the new Multicultural Center, room B019. A reception immediately follows.