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El Salvador’s crackdown on gangs has reduced crime—and democratic norms

A special episode of the daily podcast looking at how life in the country has changed both for better and for worse

Police officers keep watch during the arrival of inmates belonging to the MS-13 and 18 gangs to the new prison “Terrorist Confinement Centre” (CECOT) in Tecoluca, 74 km southeast of San Salvador, on March 15, 2023.
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A COUNTRY THAT was not long ago gripped by gang violence and crime is slowly emerging from fear, thanks to a brutal roundup of young men by a wildly popular, social-media-savvy president. The streets may be safer, but now it is El Salvador’s democracy that is in danger—and neighbouring countries’ leaders may take lessons from its budding autocrat. Runtime: 25 min

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