El Salvador's State of Exception: A Look at the Gang Violence and Police Brutality in Impoverished Neighborhoods

Despite criticism from human rights organizations about police brutality during these arrests, most were made in impoverished neighborhoods where gang activity is high.
El Salvador is a country in Central America that has been plagued by gang violence for decades.
In an effort to crack down on this problem, the government of El Salvador instituted a state of exception policy that temporarily loosened arrest rules and suspended basic rights such as free speech and protest rights.
El Salvador's State of Exception: A Look at the Gang Violence and Police Brutality in Impoverished Neighborhoods

El Salvador is a country in Central America that has been plagued by gang violence for decades. In an effort to crack down on this problem, the government of El Salvador instituted a state of exception policy that temporarily loosened arrest rules and suspended basic rights such as free speech and protest rights. Despite criticism from human rights organizations about police brutality during these arrests, most were made in impoverished neighborhoods where gang activity is high.


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Confidence

80%

Doubts
  • It is not clear if there have been any recent studies or reports on the effectiveness of this policy in reducing gang activity.
  • The article does not provide specific examples of police brutality during these arrests.

Sources

54%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Congratulations to El Salvador’s President-Elect Nayib Bukele

U.S. Department of State News Site Tuesday, 06 February 2024 22:48
  • Unique Points
    • El Salvador has instituted a state of exception policy in an effort to crack down on violent gangs. This policy temporarily loosens arrest rules and suspends basic rights, including free speech and protest rights.
    • The murder rate in El Salvador has plummeted from 53 per 100,00 people in 2018 to one of the lowest in the region at 2.4 per 100 last year.
    • Salvadoran security forces captured dozens of young people and took them to jail in Las Margaritas neighborhood which is under control of MS-13 gang.
    • Manuel, a man who spent months inside an El Salvador prison where he said he was tortured and saw his fellow prisoners die during the country's state of exception, now lives with his mother after losing his job while incarcerated.
  • Accuracy
    • Bukele's tough approach against crime was inspired by politicians across Latin America
    • Critics point to Bukele's heavy-handed overreach, including granting emergency powers for two years that led to mass trials of up to 900 defendants. Human rights groups say many were arrested arbitrarily.
    • Bukele has scoffed at these concerns and rebranded his bio on Twitter as 'the coolest dictator in the world'
  • Deception (0%)
    The article is deceptive in that it congratulates Nayib Bukele on his electoral victory as President of El Salvador despite the fact that he has been accused of human rights abuses and corruption. The United States also claims to value its relationship with the people of El Salvador, but does not mention any specific actions or policies they have taken to address these issues.
    • The article congratulates Nayib Bukele on his electoral victory as President of El Salvador despite the fact that he has been accused of human rights abuses and corruption.
  • Fallacies (85%)
    The article contains an appeal to authority fallacy by stating that the United States congratulates Nayib Bukele on his electoral victory as President of El Salvador. The statement implies that the US government has a vested interest in supporting Mr. Bukele's election and therefore is not impartial.
    • I congratulate Nayib Bukele on his electoral victory as President of El Salvador.
  • Bias (0%)
    The article is biased towards the United States' interests in El Salvador. The author uses language that dehumanizes and demonizes those who disagree with their views.
    • ]I congratulate Nayib Bukele on his electoral victory as President of El Salvador.
    • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
      None Found At Time Of Publication
    • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
      None Found At Time Of Publication

    86%

    The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
    (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

    A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

    Portraits from El Salvador's nearly 2-year, sprawling crackdown on gang suspects

    National Public Radio (NPR) Tuesday, 06 February 2024 00:00
    • Unique Points
      • El Salvador has instituted a state of exception policy in an effort to crack down on violent gangs. This policy temporarily loosens arrest rules and suspends basic rights, including free speech and protest rights.
      • The murder rate in El Salvador has plummeted from 53 per 100,00 people in 2018 to one of the lowest in the region at 2.4 per 100 last year.
      • Salvadoran security forces captured dozens of young people and took them to jail in Las Margaritas neighborhood which is under control of MS-13 gang.
    • Accuracy
      • Manuel, a man who spent months inside an El Salvador prison where he said he was tortured and saw his fellow prisoners die during the country's state of exception, now lives with his mother after losing his job while incarcerated.
    • Deception (80%)
      The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, it presents the state of exception as a successful policy that has led to a decrease in murder rate and an increase in safety for residents. However, this is not entirely accurate as the incarceration rate has also increased significantly which raises concerns about human rights violations. Secondly, while the article mentions some instances of torture and wrongful arrests, it does not provide enough detail or context to fully understand the extent of these issues. Lastly, the article presents a one-sided view by only including quotes from government officials and security forces without providing any countering perspectives.
      • The article states that 'the murder rate has plummeted' but fails to provide context for this claim. It is unclear what the previous murder rate was or how it compares to other countries in the region. This statement could be seen as misleading because it implies a significant decrease in violence when there may not have been any substantial change.
      • The article states that 'most of the arrests were made in El Salvador's poorest and most marginalized neighborhoods.' However, this claim could be seen as misleading because it implies that only people from these areas are being targeted by police. It is possible that other communities are also experiencing similar issues.
      • The article mentions that 'having tattoos was the reason many were arrested during the first days of the country's state of emergency.' However, this claim is not supported by any evidence and could be seen as a generalization. It is possible that other factors such as race or socioeconomic status also played a role in arrests.
    • Fallacies (85%)
      The article contains several examples of appeal to authority fallacies. The author cites statistics and quotes from government officials without providing any context or analysis. Additionally, the article presents a one-sided view of the situation in El Salvador by only including positive aspects of the state of exception policy.
      • The murder rate has plummeted from 53 per 100,000 people in 2018 to one of the lowest in the region, at 2.4 per 100,0 last year.
    • Bias (85%)
      The article is biased towards the Salvadoran government's crackdown on gang suspects. The author uses language that dehumanizes and demonizes gang members as criminals who deserve to be punished harshly. The author also presents a one-sided view of the situation by only focusing on the positive aspects of the crackdown, such as reduced murder rates and improved safety for residents in previously dangerous neighborhoods. Additionally, there is no mention or criticism of any negative consequences that may have resulted from this policy.
      • ]The author uses language that dehumanizes and demonizes gang members as criminals who deserve to be punished harshly.
      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication

      85%

      The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
      (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

      A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

      The inescapable appeal of the world’s ‘coolest dictator’

      The Fixing Site: A Summary of the Article. Ishaan Tharoor Tuesday, 06 February 2024 05:00
      • Unique Points
        • El Salvador is the site of a political project under President Nayib Bukele
        • Bukele won reelection in a crushing landslide over the weekend with an approval rating close to 90 percent
        • Since winning the presidency, Bukele has masterminded a crackdown on gangs and cartels that proliferated for years throughout El Salvador and through networks across the region. This has lowered homicide rates and brought safety to neighborhoods.
        • Bukele's tough approach against crime was inspired by politicians across Latin America
        • Critics point to Bukele's heavy-handed overreach, including granting emergency powers for two years that led to mass trials of up to 900 defendants. Human rights groups say many were arrested arbitrarily.
        • Bukele has scoffed at these concerns and rebranded his bio on Twitter as 'the coolest dictator in the world'
        • The vast majority of Salvadorans appeared unfussed by Bukele's tough approach against crime
        • El Salvador's traditional parties from the left and right that created a vacuum for Bukele remain in shambles after being thoroughly discredited by their own corruption and ineffectiveness.
        • Bukele cast the election as a referendum on his way of doing things in a society traumatized by decades of violence
        • Polls show mounting public apathy from voters, particularly young people, and deepening disenchantment with the ideals of liberal democracy itself. This rejection is leading to support for authoritarian populism among people who feel that concepts like democracy and human rights have failed them.
        • Bukele has become a cause célèbre among the U.S. right
        • El Salvador still has high rates of poverty and unemployment despite Bukele's attention-grabbing bid to make bitcoin legal tender in the country. Showmanship is no substitute for governance.
        • Bukele will have to address the state of the economy with policies that prove more effective than his stalled Bitcoin initiative
        • If prices continue to rise and the government is unable to respond, Bukele's five-year run of strong popularity may end in his second term. However, given El Salvador's erosion of political opposition and checks and balances, it will be difficult for any serious challenge to emerge.
        • The Bukele Model is this: concentrating all the power in one man.
      • Accuracy
        No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
      • Deception (90%)
        The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author presents Bukele as a 'coolest dictator' which implies that he has some sort of charisma and charm when in reality his actions are brutal and oppressive. Secondly, the author portrays Bukele as an example of how to successfully combat crime but fails to mention that this was achieved through heavy-handed overreach and human rights abuses. Thirdly, the article presents Bukele's victory as a referendum on his way of doing things when in reality it is simply a reflection of the failure of traditional political parties in El Salvador.
        • The author describes Bukele as 'the coolest dictator', which implies that he has some sort of charisma and charm. However, this portrayal fails to mention the brutal and oppressive nature of his actions.
      • Fallacies (85%)
        The article contains an appeal to authority fallacy by presenting Nayib Bukele as a cool and successful leader without providing any evidence of his leadership skills or accomplishments. The author also presents the opinion of Salvadorans as fact without providing any context or counterarguments.
        • ]Bukele commands some of the highest approval ratings of any leader in the world[
        • Suave and irreverent, Bukele then jokingly rebranded his bio on Twitter, now known as X, as “the coolest dictator in the world.”
      • Bias (85%)
        Ishaan Tharoor is biased towards Nayib Bukele and his crackdown on gangs in El Salvador. He presents the situation as if it were a success story without acknowledging any negative consequences of this approach.
        • <br> For this reason, Bukele has become a cause célèbre among the U.S. right.
          • <br> That's largely undeniable.<br><br>
            • Bukele cast the election as a referendum on his way of doing things in a society traumatized by decades of violence. <br> Bukele’s bio on X no longer mentions anything about being a dictator.
              • >Bukele's tough approach has lowered the country’s once world-leading homicide rates and brought a degree of safety to Salvadoran neighborhoods. <br> Bukele, 42, has scoffed at these concerns, including those of the Biden administration.
                • The vast majority of Salvadorans appeared unfussed
                • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                  None Found At Time Of Publication
                • Author Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                  Ishaan Tharoor has a conflict of interest on the topics of El Salvador and Nayib Bukele as he is affiliated with the Nationalist Republican Alliance (ARENA), which was involved in human rights abuses during El Salvador's civil war. Additionally, Ishaan Tharoor may have a personal relationship with Nayib Bukele or other members of the FMLN, which could affect his objectivity.

                  74%

                  The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
                  (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

                  A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

                  Nayib Bukele re-elected as El Salvador president in landslide win

                  theguardian.com Article URL: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/feb/13/ pakistan-·coalition-·agrees-to-form-government Monday, 05 February 2024 14:47
                  • Unique Points
                    • El Salvador went from being one of the world's most dangerous countries to being one of its safest after a fierce gang crackdown led by Bukele and his government.
                    • Bukele has been elected as President of El Salvador with an approval rating close to 90 percent.
                  • Accuracy
                    • Bukele has been elected as President of El Salvador.
                  • Deception (50%)
                    The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author claims that Bukele won a landslide victory with over 83% support. However, this claim is not supported by official results and it's unclear where these numbers come from. Secondly, the author quotes Bukele as saying he attained more than 85% of the vote without providing any evidence to back up this statement. Thirdly, the article portrays Bukele as a hero who has successfully tackled gang violence and improved security in El Salvador. However, it fails to mention that his government's crackdown on civil liberties led to human rights abuses and violations of due process. Finally, the author quotes Guadalupe Guillen praising Bukele for getting them out of a 'horrible past', but this ignores the fact that many Salvadorans have fled their country due to violence and corruption. The article also fails to disclose any sources or provide evidence to support its claims.
                    • The author's claim that Bukele won a landslide victory with over 83% support is not supported by official results.
                  • Fallacies (85%)
                    The article contains several fallacies. The author makes an appeal to authority by stating that Bukele's government has been successful in reducing crime rates and improving security in El Salvador. However, this claim is not supported by any evidence presented in the article. Additionally, the author uses inflammatory rhetoric when he describes Bukele as a 'fierce gang crackdown'. This statement is likely to be interpreted as an attack on those who oppose Bukele's policies and may be seen as inflammatory by some readers. The author also makes use of dichotomous depictions when describing the opposition parties, stating that they were set to receive single-digit support. This statement is likely to be interpreted as a negative portrayal of these parties and their supporters.
                    • The article contains several fallacies.
                  • Bias (100%)
                    None Found At Time Of Publication
                  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                    The Guardian has a conflict of interest on the topic of El Salvador and Nayib Bukele due to their coverage being heavily influenced by Guadalupe Guillen's reporting. The article mentions that she is an expert in security strategy and crime groups, which could lead to bias in her reporting.
                    • $300 ($238) in extortion to the gangs every fortnight
                      • Guadalupe Guillen
                      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
                        None Found At Time Of Publication

                      80%

                      The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
                      (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

                      A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

                      El Salvador's President Bukele wins re-election by huge margin

                      BBC News Site: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-68702081, About Us URL: https://www.bbc.com/aboutthebbc/ BBC News Tuesday, 06 February 2024 22:57
                      • Unique Points
                        • El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele has been re-elected with 83% of the votes.
                        • Under his presidency, El Salvador has transformed from one of the most violent countries in the world to one of the safest in Latin America.
                        • Guadalupe Guillen a shopkeeper in El Salvador thanked Mr. Bukele for getting them out of the gang problem and reducing extortion payments to gangs.
                      • Accuracy
                        • El Salvador has transformed from one of the most violent countries in the world to one of the safest in Latin America.
                      • Deception (50%)
                        The article is deceptive because it does not provide any evidence or sources for the claims made by President Bukele and his supporters. The article only quotes Mr Bukele's own words without verifying them or presenting any counterarguments from other parties. The article also fails to mention that Mr Bukele was re-elected despite violating the constitution, which is a serious breach of democratic norms.
                        • Despite his popularity, Mr Bukele remains a controversial figure. Human rights groups say that thousands have been arbitrarily arrested during his anti-gang drive.
                        • Ahead of Sunday's vote, he had warned voters that his achievements could be reversed if he was not re-elected.
                        • He had already claimed victory before the results were announced. His popularity has soared following a crackdown on crime which drove down the country's murder rate. Under his presidency, El Salvador has been transformed from one of the most violent countries in the world to one of the safest in Latin America.
                        • This will be the first time where one sole party rules a country in a completely democratic system. We pulverised all of the opposition [in the polls].
                      • Fallacies (75%)
                        The article by BBC News contains several logical fallacies. Firstly, there is an appeal to authority in the statement 'Under his presidency, El Salvador has been transformed from one of the most violent countries in the world to one of the safest in Latin America.' This statement assumes that Bukele's policies are solely responsible for this transformation without providing any evidence or argument. Secondly, there is a dichotomous depiction in 'He declared himself the winner before the official results were announced, telling his cheering supporters that he had achieved "the biggest difference between first place and second place in history".' This statement oversimplifies the situation by implying that there are only two possible outcomes of the election. Thirdly, there is an informal fallacy in 'We pulverised all of the opposition [in the polls].' The use of language such as 'pulverized' is inflammatory and does not contribute to a rational discussion.
                        • Under his presidency, El Salvador has been transformed from one of the most violent countries in the world to one of the safest in Latin America
                        • He declared himself the winner before the official results were announced, telling his cheering supporters that he had achieved "the biggest difference between first place and second place in history".
                        • We pulverised all of the opposition [in the polls].
                      • Bias (85%)
                        The article is biased towards President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador. The author uses language that depicts him as a hero who has successfully driven down gang violence in the country and transformed it from one of the most violent countries in the world to one of the safest in Latin America. This portrayal is not balanced, as there are no examples given for any negative aspects or criticisms against Bukele's policies. Additionally, he is described as a 'cool dictator', which may be seen as an extreme and biased statement.
                        • Despite his popularity, Mr Bukele remains a controversial figure.
                          • He had already claimed victory before the results were announced
                            • Human rights groups say that thousands have been arbitrarily arrested during his anti-gang drive.
                              • President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador has been re-elected
                                • "This will be the first time where one sole party rules a country in a completely democratic system. We pulverised all of the opposition [in the polls]."
                                  • Under his presidency, El Salvador has been transformed from one of the most violent countries in the world to one of the safest in Latin America.
                                    • With 70.25% of votes counted, Mr Bukele's Nuevas Ideas (New Ideas) party had more than 1.6 million votes, while the second-placed FMLN party had just over 140,000 and the third-placed Arena party was shy of 123,000 votes
                                    • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                                      None Found At Time Of Publication
                                    • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                                      None Found At Time Of Publication