Full History Of El Salvador In Timeline From 1903

1903: End of Tomás Regalado's Presidency

In 1903, General Tomás Regalado's term as president ended.

July 1906: Death of General Tomás Regalado

General Tomás Regalado was killed on July 11, 1906, at El Jicaro, during a war against Guatemala.

1912: Creation of the National Guard

In 1912, the national guard was created as a rural police force.

1913: Assassination of President Manuel Enrique Araujo

In 1913, President Manuel Enrique Araujo was killed, leading to many hypotheses for the political motive of his murder.

1913: Beginning of Meléndez–Quiñónez Dynasty

In 1913, the Meléndez–Quiñónez dynasty began, following Manuel Enrique Araujo's administration.

1915: Official Name Change to El Salvador

In 1915, the Legislative Assembly passed a law which officially stated that the country's name should be rendered as the definite form El Salvador.

1919: Earthquake in San Salvador

The capital San Salvador suffered heavy damage in the 1919 tremor.

1927: End of Meléndez–Quiñónez Dynasty

In 1927, the Meléndez–Quiñónez dynasty ended.

December 1930: Exile of Farabundo Martí

In December 1930, Farabundo Martí was exiled because of his popularity among the nation's poor.

1930: Announcement of Free Elections

In 1930, Pío Romero Bosque announced free elections.

March 1931: Arturo Araujo Comes to Power

On March 1, 1931, Arturo Araujo came to power in what was considered the country's first freely contested election.

December 1931: Coup d'état led by Martínez

In December 1931, a coup d'état was organized by junior officers and led by Martínez, resulting in the overthrow of President Araujo.

1931: Return of Farabundo Martí

In 1931, after Araujo was elected president, Martí returned to El Salvador.

1931: Beginning of Military Dictatorship

In 1931, the military dictatorship started.

January 1932: Start of La Matanza

Beginning in January 1932, there was brutal suppression of a rural revolt known as La Matanza.

January 1932: Peasant Revolt and La Matanza

On January 22, 1932, thousands of poorly armed peasants revolted against the government, leading to La Matanza.

1935: Start of Martínez's Rule

In 1935, Martinez began his rule after the U.S minister recognized his government.

1939: Martínez's Second Term

From 1939, Martinez ruled a second term

1943: Martínez's Third Term

From 1939, Martinez ruled a third term

1944: Martínez's Resignation

In 1944, Martínez began a fourth term but resigned in May after a general strike.

November 1950: El Salvador Supports Tibetan Plea

In November 1950, El Salvador was the only country to help the newly empowered 14th Dalai Lama by supporting his Tibetan Government cabinet minister's telegram requesting an appeal before the General Assembly of the United Nations to stop the annexation of Tibet by the People's Republic of China.

1950: El Salvador's population

In 1950, El Salvador's population was 2,200,000.

1958: Reaffirmation of the Country's Name

In 1958, the legislature reaffirmed the country's name as El Salvador with another law.

1960: Active Period of PDC and PCN

From 1960, the Christian Democratic Party (PDC) and the National Conciliation Party (PCN) were active in Salvadoran politics.

1964: Duarte as Mayor of San Salvador

From 1964, José Napoleón Duarte was the mayor of San Salvador.

1969: Football War with Honduras

In 1969, the Football War between El Salvador and Honduras occurred due to tensions over Salvadoran emigration to Honduras.

1970: End of Duarte's Mayoralty

José Napoleón Duarte's term as mayor of San Salvador ended in 1970.

1970: FIFA World Cup Qualification

The El Salvador national football team qualified for the FIFA World Cup in 1970. Their qualification was marred by the Football War against Honduras.

1972: Fraudulent Presidential Elections

In the 1972 presidential elections, Duarte lost to Arturo Armando Molina in an election widely viewed as fraudulent.

1973: Hurricane Emily

Although hurricanes occasionally form in the Pacific, they seldom affect El Salvador, with the notable exception of Hurricane Emily in 1973.

1976: Estadio Cuscatlán Opens

The Estadio Cuscatlán in San Salvador opened in 1976. It is the largest stadium in Central America and the Caribbean.

October 1979: US Decides on Regime Change

By October 1979, the Carter administration decided that El Salvador needed regime change.

October 1979: Coup d'état and Formation of Revolutionary Government Junta

On October 15, 1979, a coup d'état brought the Revolutionary Government Junta (JRG) to power.

1979: Duarte's Return to Politics

In 1979, Duarte returned to El Salvador to enter politics after working in Venezuela.

1979: Start of Salvadoran Civil War

In 1979, the Salvadoran Civil War began, fought between the military-led government backed by the United States, and a coalition of left-wing guerrilla groups.

March 1980: Assassination of Óscar Romero

On March 24, 1980, Óscar Romero was assassinated while saying Mass.

October 1980: Formation of Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front

In October 1980, several major guerrilla groups of the Salvadoran left formed the Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front, or FMLN.

1980: Salvadoran Emigration to the United States

From 1980, large numbers of Salvadorans emigrated to the United States.

1980: Serious acts of violence

Since 1980, the Commission on the Truth for El Salvador investigated serious acts of violence.

1982: FIFA World Cup Qualification

The El Salvador national football team qualified for the FIFA World Cup in 1982.

1982: Earthquake in San Salvador

The capital San Salvador suffered heavy damage in the 1982 tremor.

1983: Constitution

The 1983 constitution has the highest legal authority in the country.

1986: Earthquake

A 5.7 Mw earthquake in 1986 resulted in 1,500 deaths, 10,000 injuries, and 100,000 people left homeless.

1989: ARENA Dominance Begins

From 1989, Salvadorans favored the Nationalist Republican Alliance (ARENA), and voted in ARENA presidents in every election until 2009.

1989: Murder of Jesuit Priests

Jesuit priests and professors Ignacio Ellacuría, Ignacio Martín-Baró, and Segundo Montes were murdered in 1989 by the Salvadoran Army during the height of the civil war.

January 1992: Peace Agreements Signed

In January 1992, the government of El Salvador and the FMLN signed peace agreements brokered by the United Nations, officially ending the 12-year civil war. The signing occurred at Chapultepec Castle in Mexico and was attended by international dignitaries.

September 1992: Value-added tax implemented

In September 1992, El Salvador implemented a 10% value-added tax (IVA).

1992: End of Civil War

According to official data, 2021 had the lowest number of recorded murders since the end of the civil war in 1992.

1992: End of Salvadoran Civil War with Chapultepec Peace Accords

In 1992, the Salvadoran Civil War ended with the Chapultepec Peace Accords, establishing a multiparty constitutional republic.

1993: Commission on the Truth findings and Amnesty Law

In 1993, the Commission on the Truth for El Salvador delivered its findings, reporting human rights violations on both sides of the conflict. Five days later, the Salvadoran legislature passed an amnesty law for all acts of violence during the period.

July 1995: Value-added tax raised

In July 1995, El Salvador raised its value-added tax (IVA) from 10% to 13%.

1996: GDP growth

After 1996, El Salvador's GDP grew at an annual rate that averaged 3.2% real growth.

1997: Ministry of the Environment Established

In 1997, the government established the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources.

1998: Hurricane Mitch

Although hurricanes occasionally form in the Pacific, they seldom affect El Salvador, with the notable exception of Hurricane Mitch in 1998 (which actually formed over the Atlantic Basin).

1999: General Environmental Framework Law Approved

In 1999, a general environmental framework law was approved by the National Assembly.

2000: Exports and Imports statistics

From 2000 to 2006, El Salvador's total exports have grown 19% from $2.94 billion, and total imports have risen 54% from $4.95 billion.

January 2001: Earthquake and Landslide

On 13 January 2001, an earthquake measured 7.7 on the Richter magnitude scale and caused a landslide that killed more than 800 people.

February 2001: Earthquake

On 13 February 2001, another earthquake killed 255 people and damaged about 20% of the country's housing.

2001: Severe Drought

In 2001 a severe drought destroyed 80% of El Salvador's crops, causing famine in the countryside.

2001: Adoption of the United States Dollar

In 2001, the colón, the currency of El Salvador since 1892, was replaced by the United States dollar.

2004: Salvadorans Living Abroad

As of 2004, approximately 3.2 million Salvadorans were living outside of El Salvador, with the United States being the primary destination for economic migrants.

2004: Homicide Rate and Gang-Related Homicides

In 2004, El Salvador had 41 intentional homicides per 100,000 citizens, with 60% of the homicides being gang-related.

2004: Presidential Election

In 2004, the PDC and PCN failed to win enough votes in the presidential election.

2004: "Super Mano Dura" Programme

In 2004, the government's gang reform programme called "Super Mano Dura" (Super Firm Hand) experienced temporary success, though there was a rise in crime after 2005.

2004: ARENA Dominance Ends

Until 2004, Salvadorans favored the Nationalist Republican Alliance (ARENA), and voted in ARENA presidents in every election.

October 2005: Volcanic Eruption of Santa Ana

On 1 October 2005, the Santa Ana Volcano spewed a cloud of ash, hot mud and rocks that fell on nearby villages and caused two deaths.

October 2005: Severe Rains

On 4 October 2005, severe rains resulted in dangerous flooding and landslides, which caused at least 50 deaths.

2005: Epicenter of Gang Crisis

In 2005, El Salvador was considered an epicenter of a gang crisis, along with Guatemala and Honduras.

2005: Expiration of the Multi Fibre Arrangement

In 2005, the Multi Fibre Arrangement expired, causing El Salvador to anticipate declines in the apparel sector's competitiveness.

2006: Exports and Imports statistics

From 2000 to 2006, El Salvador's total exports have grown 19% from $2.94 billion, and total imports have risen 54% from $4.95 billion.

2006: El Salvador ratifies CAFTA

In 2006, El Salvador was the first country to ratify the Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) with the United States, requiring the government to adopt policies that foster free trade.

2006: Remittances statistics

In 2006, Remittances from Salvadorans living in the United States, sent to family members in El Salvador, are a major source of foreign income and offset the trade deficit and grew to $3.32 billion, or approximately 16.2% of GDP

2006: Gay marriage proposals rejected

In 2006, proposals for gay marriage were legally not recognized in El Salvador, as proposals were rejected twice.

2007: GDP real growth rate

In 2007, El Salvador's GDP's real growth rate hit 4.7%.

2008: Salvadorans in the United States

By 2008, nearly one million Salvadorans had emigrated to the United States, becoming the sixth-largest immigrant group in the US.

2008: El Salvador seeks international arbitration

In 2008, El Salvador sought international arbitration against Italy's Enel Green Power, on behalf of Salvadoran state-owned electric companies for a geothermal project Enel had invested in.

2008: Service sector largest component of GDP

In 2008, the service sector was the largest component of El Salvador's GDP at 64.1%.

March 2009: Mauricio Funes Election

ARENA candidates won four consecutive presidential elections until the election of Mauricio Funes of the FMLN in March 2009.

June 2009: Mauricio Funes Inauguration

On June 1, 2009, Mauricio Funes was inaugurated as president of El Salvador. One focus of the Funes government has been revealing the alleged corruption from the past government.

December 2009: Saca Expelled and Forms GANA

In December 2009, ARENA formally expelled Saca from the party. With 12 loyalists in the National Assembly, Saca established his own party, the Grand Alliance for National Unity (GANA), and entered into a tactical legislative alliance with the FMLN.

2009: Gay marriage proposals rejected

In 2009, proposals for gay marriage were legally not recognized in El Salvador, as proposals were rejected once again.

2009: US Embassy warns against populist policies

In 2009, the U.S. Embassy warned that the Salvadoran government's populist policies of mandating artificially low electricity prices were damaging private sector profitability.

2009: ARENA's electoral defeat

In an analysis of ARENA's electoral defeat in 2009, the U.S. Embassy in San Salvador pointed to official corruption under the Saca administration as a significant reason for public rejection of continued ARENA government.

2010: Contribution of metallic mining

According to the Central American Institute for Fiscal Studies (Instituto Centroamericano for Estudios Fiscales), the contribution of metallic mining to El Salvador's GDP was a minuscule 0.3% between 2010 and 2015.

2010: Population statistics

In 2010, 32.1% of El Salvador's population was below the age of 15, 61% were between 15 and 65 years of age, while 6.9% were 65 years or older.

2010: Agriculture represents a percentage of GDP

In 2010, agriculture represented 11.2% of El Salvador's GDP.

2011: Disbandment of PDC and PCN

In 2011, the Christian Democratic Party (PDC) and the National Conciliation Party (PCN) were disbanded by the Supreme Court.

2011: Gang Members in El Salvador

In 2011, there were an estimated 25,000 gang members at large in El Salvador, with another 9,000 in prison.

April 2012: IMF Suspends Loan

In April 2012, the International Monetary Fund suspended a $750 million loan to the central government of El Salvador due to problems with large economic subsidies. President Funes' chief of cabinet acknowledged that the economy was at the "point of collapse".

2012: Salvadoran Immigrants in the U.S.

By 2012, there were about 2.0 million Salvadoran immigrants and Americans of Salvadoran descent in the U.S., making them the sixth largest immigrant group in the country.

2012: Highest Murder Rate in the World

In 2012, El Salvador had the highest murder rate in the world.

2012: Increase in Homicide Rate

In 2012, the homicide rate in El Salvador had increased to 66 per 100,000 inhabitants, more than triple the rate in Mexico.

2013: Increase in Foreign Direct Investment

According to Santander Trade, in 2013, the influx of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) increased in El Salvador.

2013: Survey on Homosexuality

According to a 2013 survey by Pew Research, 53% of Salvadorans believe that homosexuality should not be accepted by society.

2013: Tourism jobs statistics

In 2013, tourism directly supported 80,500 jobs in El Salvador, representing 3.1% of total employment.

March 2014: Cerén Wins Election

In March 2014, former FMLN guerrilla leader Cerén narrowly won the election.

May 2014: Cerén Sworn In

In May 2014, Cerén was sworn in as president, becoming the first former guerrilla to hold the office in El Salvador.

December 2014: Settlement reached with Enel Green Power

In December 2014, El Salvador and Italy's Enel Green Power reached a settlement regarding a geothermal project dispute, but no details were released.

2014: Corruption Perceptions Index rank

In 2014, El Salvador ranked 80 out of 175 countries as per the Corruption Perceptions Index.

2014: World Bank 'Ease of doing business' index

In 2014, the World Bank rated El Salvador 109, a little better than Belize (118) and Nicaragua (119) in the World Bank's annual "Ease of doing business" index.

2014: International Tourists Visits

It was estimated that 1,394,000 international tourists visited El Salvador in 2014.

2014: FMLN split

The FMLN Party is leftist in ideology, and is split between the dominant Marxist-Leninist faction in the legislature, and the social liberal wing led by Mauricio Funes until 2014.

2015: Progress in access to water supply and sanitation

A 2015 study by the University of North Carolina called El Salvador the country that has achieved the greatest progress in the world in terms of increased access to water supply and sanitation and the reduction of inequity in access between urban and rural areas.

2015: Contribution of metallic mining

According to the Central American Institute for Fiscal Studies (Instituto Centroamericano for Estudios Fiscales), the contribution of metallic mining to El Salvador's GDP was a minuscule 0.3% between 2010 and 2015.

2015: Homicides Recorded in El Salvador

In 2015, there were 6,650 homicides recorded in El Salvador.

2016: Homicides Recorded in El Salvador

In 2016, at least 5,728 people were murdered in El Salvador.

2016: Funes Seeks Asylum

In 2016, former president Funes sought asylum in Nicaragua.

October 2017: Funes Ruled Illegally Enriched

In October 2017, an El Salvador court ruled that former president Funes and one of his sons had illegally enriched themselves.

December 2017: Net International Reserves

As of December 2017, El Salvador's net international reserves stood at $3.57 billion.

2017: Homicides Recorded in El Salvador

In 2017, there were 3,962 recorded homicides in El Salvador.

September 2018: Saca Sentenced to Prison

In September 2018, former president Saca was sentenced to 10 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to diverting more than US$300 million in state funds to his own businesses and third parties.

October 2018: Canonization of Óscar Romero

Óscar Romero, the first Salvadoran saint, was canonized by Pope Francis on October 14, 2018.

2018: Forest Landscape Integrity Index

In 2018, El Salvador had a Forest Landscape Integrity Index mean score of 4.06/10, ranking it 136th globally out of 172 countries.

2018: Transition to digital transmission of TV/radio networks

In 2018, El Salvador transitioned to digital transmission of TV/radio networks with the adaptation of the ISDB-T standard.

2018: Homicides Recorded in El Salvador

In 2018, there were 3,348 recorded deaths in El Salvador.

February 2019: Bukele Wins Presidential Election

In February 2019, Nayib Bukele won the presidential election representing GANA, due to being denied participation with the newly formed Nuevas Ideas party.

June 2019: Homicide Rate Drops

According to a report by the International Crisis Group (ICG), since Bukele became president in June 2019, the homicide rate in El Salvador had dropped by as much as 60%.

June 2019: Bukele Becomes President

On June 1, 2019, Nayib Bukele became the new president of El Salvador.

2019: Lowest Income Inequality

As of 2019, economic improvements had led to El Salvador experiencing the lowest level of income inequality among nearby countries.

2019: Decline in Murder Rate

El Salvador experienced a sharp decline in the murder rate in 2019 with a new conservative government in power.

2019: Nayib Bukele election

However, the two-party dominance was broken after Nayib Bukele, a candidate from GANA won the 2019 Salvadoran presidential election.

2019: Remittances statistics

In 2019, El Salvador led the region in remittances per capita, with inflows equivalent to nearly all export income. 2.35 million Salvadorans lived in the U.S., and about a third of all households received remittances, which accounted for nearly $6 billion (around 20% of GDP).

2019: El Salvador's Global Innovation Index Ranking

In 2019, El Salvador was ranked 108th in the Global Innovation Index.

2019: Tourism contribution to GDP

In 2019, Tourism contributed US$2970.1 million to El Salvador's GDP, representing 11% of total GDP, and indirectly supported 317,200 jobs, representing 11.6% of total employment.

2019: Homicides Recorded in El Salvador

In 2019, authorities reported a total of 2,365 homicides in El Salvador.

2019: Bukele's Announcement on Homicide-Free Year

On May 10, 2023, President Bukele stated on Twitter that El Salvador had completed one full year or 365 days since 2019 without a single homicide occurring.

June 2020: Inauguration of Hospital El Salvador

On 22 June 2020, El Salvador's main convention centre was converted into Hospital El Salvador and inaugurated by the president. The facility was set to be the largest hospital in Latin America and the hospital conversion would be permanent because of the large investment made.

2020: ICG Report on Homicide Rates

According to a 2020 report by the International Crisis Group (ICG), the homicide rate in El Salvador had dropped significantly since Bukele became president in June 2019.

2020: Homicides Recorded in El Salvador

In 2020, there were only 1,322 reported homicides in El Salvador.

2020: Testing of 5G Coverage began

In El Salvador in 2020, testing of 5G coverage began.

January 2021: Energy Injections

According to the National Energy Commission, 94.4% of total injections during January 2021 came from hydroelectric plants (28.5% - 124.43 GWh), geothermal (27.3% - 119.07 GWh), biomass (24.4% 106.43 GWh), photovoltaic solar (10.6% - 46.44 GWh) and wind (3.6% - 15.67 GWh).

February 2021: Nuevas Ideas Wins Legislative Elections

In February 2021, Nuevas Ideas (NI), founded by Bukele, with its ally (GANA) won around 63% of the vote in the legislative elections.

February 2021: Nuevas Ideas Win

In February 2021, the results of legislative election caused a major change in the politics of El Salvador. The new allied party of president Nayib Bukele, Nuevas Ideas (New Ideas) won the biggest congressional majority in the country's history.

June 2021: President Bukele announces Bitcoin legislation

In June 2021, President Nayib Bukele announced he would introduce legislation to make Bitcoin legal tender in El Salvador.

June 2021: Bitcoin becomes legal tender

On 8 June 2021, at the initiative of President Bukele, pro-government deputies in the Legislative Assembly voted legislation to make bitcoin legal tender in the country.

September 2021: Supreme Court Allows Bukele to Run Again

In September 2021, El Salvador's Supreme Court ruled to allow Bukele to run for a second term in 2024, despite the fact that the constitution prohibits the president to serve two consecutive terms in office. The decision was organized by judges appointed to the court by Bukele.

September 2021: Bitcoin becomes legal tender

On September 7, 2021, Bitcoin officially became a legal tender in El Salvador. As part of the law, foreigners can gain permanent residence if they invest 3 Bitcoin into the country.

2021: Economy Complexity Study

Among 77 countries included in a 2021 study, El Salvador had one of the least complex economies for doing business.

2021: Homicides Recorded in El Salvador

In 2021, El Salvador recorded 1,140 homicides, marking the lowest number of recorded murders since the end of the civil war in 1992.

2021: GDP in purchasing power parity estimate

In 2021, El Salvador's gross domestic product (GDP) in purchasing power parity estimate was US$57.95 billion, with real GDP growing at 4.2%.

2021: El Salvador's population

In 2021, El Salvador's population was 6,314,167.

January 2022: IMF Urges Reversal of Bitcoin Decision, Bitcoin City Planned

In January 2022, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) urged El Salvador to reverse its decision to make cryptocurrency legal tender. Bukele announced plans to build Bitcoin City at the base of a volcano in El Salvador.

March 2022: Merchant Bitcoin transactions

According to a survey conducted by the Salvadoran Chamber of Commerce, as of March 2022, only 14% of merchants in El Salvador processed at least one Bitcoin transaction.

March 2022: Gang-Related Violence and State of Emergency

Beginning on March 25, 2022, three days of gang-related violence occurred that left 87 people dead. In response, President Bukele asked the Salvadoran parliament to ratify a state of emergency. On March 26, Bukele also ordered the police and army to initiate mass-arrests against those responsible for the violence.

May 2022: Economic Difficulties

As of May 2022, government bonds trading at 40% of their original value, the prospect of a looming sovereign default.

2022: Homicide Rate in El Salvador

By 2022, El Salvador had a homicide rate of 7.8 per 100,000 individuals.

2022: Gang Membership Estimate

In 2022, the Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) and Barrio 18 gangs were estimated to have around 70,000 members.

2022: Crackdown on gangs

In 2022, the Salvadoran government initiated a massive fight against criminal gangs and gang-related violence. A state of emergency was declared on 27 March and was extended on 20 July. More than 53,000 suspected gang members were arrested, precipitating the highest reported incarceration rate in the world. The crackdown has reportedly produced hundreds of deaths of detainees, with international human rights organizations such as Amnesty International declaring it the worst abuse of human rights in the country since its civil war.

2022: Homicide Rate Drops

In January 2024, it was announced that homicide rate dropped nearly 70% year over year, with 154 in 2023 compared to 495 homicides in 2022.

May 2023: Bukele's Announcement on Homicide-Free Year

On May 10, 2023, President Bukele stated on Twitter that El Salvador had completed one full year or 365 days since 2019 without a single homicide occurring.

August 2023: Government Crackdown on Gangs

As of August 2023, around 72,000 suspected gang members have been sent to prison as a part of the government crackdown on the gangs.

November 2023: Bukele Takes Leave for Re-election Campaign

On 30 November 2023, the Legislative Assembly granted Bukele and Vice President Felix Ulloa a leave of absence to focus on their 2024 re-election campaign. Claudia Rodríguez de Guevara succeeded Bukele as acting president.

2023: Homicide Rate Drops

In January 2024, it was announced that homicide rate dropped nearly 70% year over year, with 154 in 2023 compared to 495 homicides in 2022.

2023: V-Dem Democracy Report Ranking

It was ranked the 5th least electoral democratic country in Latin America and the Caribbean in 2023 by V-Dem Democracy Report.

January 2024: Homicide Rate Drops

In January 2024, it was announced that the homicide rate dropped nearly 70% year over year, with 154 homicides in 2023 compared to 495 homicides in 2022.

February 2024: Bukele Re-elected

On 4 February 2024, Bukele won re-election with 83% of the vote in general election. His party Nuevas Ideas won 58 of the parliament's 60 seats.

May 2024: Government Bitcoin holdings

Since May 2024, the Bitcoin Office of El Salvador reports that the government holds 5,750 bitcoin (approximately $354 million circa May 2024) -- with nearly 474 bitcoin (approx $29 million circa May 2024) mined since September 2021 using geothermal energy from the Tecapa volcano.

June 2024: Bukele Sworn In for Second Term

On 1 June 2024, Nayib Bukele was sworn in for his second five-year term as president.

December 2024: Government Bitcoin Purchase

In December 2024, Nayib Bukele's government purchased 11 new BTC for over a million dollars, thus strengthening its strategic reserves.

2024: Homicide Rate in El Salvador

In 2024, El Salvador reported a homicide rate of 1.9 per 100,000 people, which was lower than any other Latin American country. This rate represents a 98% decrease in nine years.

2024: El Salvador's Global Hunger Index Ranking

In 2024, El Salvador was ranked 43rd out of 127 countries in the Global Hunger Index (GHI). With a score of 8.0, El Salvador's level of hunger was considered low in 2024.

2024: El Salvador Population

In 2024, the population of El Salvador was estimated to be 6 million according to a government census.

2024: Supreme Court Allows Bukele to Run Again

In September 2021, El Salvador's Supreme Court ruled to allow Bukele to run for a second term in 2024, despite the fact that the constitution prohibits the president to serve two consecutive terms in office. The decision was organized by judges appointed to the court by Bukele.

2024: Bukele Takes Leave for Re-election Campaign

On 30 November 2023, the Legislative Assembly granted Bukele and Vice President Felix Ulloa a leave of absence to focus on their 2024 re-election campaign. Claudia Rodríguez de Guevara succeeded Bukele as acting president.

February 2025: Highest prisoner rate worldwide

In February 2025, El Salvador had the highest prisoner rate worldwide, with over 1,600 prisoners per 100,000 of the national population.

February 2025: Bitcoin's Legal Tender Status Removed

In February 2025, El Salvador’s Congress agreed to remove Bitcoin's legal tender status, following pressure from the International Monetary Fund.

March 2025: United States transferred immigrants to El Salvador

In March 2025, the United States transferred more than 200 immigrants, alleged to be members of a Venezuelan gang, to El Salvador, violating court orders. These individuals were to be imprisoned in El Salvador as part of President Bukele's efforts to reduce high crime rates and gang violence.

April 2025: Bitcoin Rises in Value

As of April 2025, the value of bitcoin since it was declared legal tender is trading twice the price that it was when El Salvador made it legal tender.