History of El Salvador in Timeline
El Salvador is a Central American country bordered by Honduras, Guatemala, and the Pacific Ocean. Its capital and largest city is San Salvador. As of 2024, its population is estimated at 6 million. El Salvador is known for its natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, with many beautiful beaches, volcanoes, and ancient Mayan ruins. The country has a complex history, impacted by factors including colonization, civil conflicts, and periods of political instability. It transitioned to a presidential republic in 1983 and adopted the US dollar as its official currency in 2001. Despite facing challenges like gang violence, poverty, and inequality, El Salvador is known for its resilient people, vibrant culture, and efforts towards economic and social progress.
1903: End of Regalado Presidency
General Tomas Regalado's presidency in El Salvador ended in 1903.
July 1906: Death of Tomas Regalado
General Tomas Regalado, who seized power in El Salvador in 1898, was killed in July 1906 during a war against Guatemala.
1912: National Guard Created
The National Guard was established in 1912 in El Salvador as a rural police force to maintain order during a period focused on coffee production.
1913: Assassination of Manuel Enrique Araujo
President Manuel Enrique Araujo of El Salvador was assassinated in 1913, leading to political instability.
1913: Start of Melendez-Quinonez Dynasty
The Melendez-Quinonez dynasty began its rule in El Salvador in 1913.
1915: Official Name Change
In 1915, El Salvador officially changed its name to "El Salvador" ("The Savior") from "Republic of Salvador".
1919: Earthquake Damages San Salvador
San Salvador, the capital city, was severely damaged by an earthquake in 1919.
1927: End of Melendez-Quinonez Dynasty
The Melendez-Quinonez dynasty ended its rule of El Salvador in 1927.
December 1930: Farabundo Martí Exiled
Farabundo Martí, a social activist and revolutionary leader, was exiled from El Salvador in December 1930.
1930: Pio Romero Bosque Announces Free Elections
In 1930, Pio Romero Bosque, a former minister, announced free elections in El Salvador.
March 1931: Arturo Araujo Elected
Arturo Araujo was elected president of El Salvador in March 1931 in what was considered the country's first free election, but his government was overthrown within nine months.
December 1931: Coup Against Arturo Araujo
In December 1931, President Arturo Araujo of El Salvador was overthrown in a coup d'état led by junior military officers.
1931: Beginning of El Salvador's military dictatorship
El Salvador's military dictatorship began in 1931.
1931: Martí Returns
Farabundo Martí returned to El Salvador in 1931 following the election of President Araujo.
January 1932: La Matanza
In January 1932, a brutal suppression of a rural revolt known as La Matanza took place in El Salvador.
January 1932: 1932 Salvadoran peasant massacre
In January 1932, a peasant uprising led by Feliciano Ama and Farabundo Martí took place in western El Salvador due to the suppression of democratic freedoms and the cancellation of the 1932 election results. The rebels, largely indigenous people and communists, initially captured several towns, but the government brutally suppressed the rebellion, resulting in the deaths of an estimated 10,000 to 40,000 people, mostly Pipil peasants. Rebel leaders, including Ama and Martí, were executed.
1935: Martinez's Second Term
Maximiliano Hernández Martínez began his second term as president of El Salvador in 1935.
1939: Martinez's Third Term
Maximiliano Hernández Martínez started his third presidential term in El Salvador in 1939.
1943: End of Martinez's Third Term
Maximiliano Hernández Martínez's third presidential term concluded in 1943.
1944: Martinez Resigns
Maximiliano Hernández Martínez resigned from his fourth term as president of El Salvador in 1944 following a general strike.
November 1950: Support for Tibet
In November 1950, El Salvador uniquely supported the 14th Dalai Lama's appeal to the UN to prevent Tibet's annexation by China. However, lacking other countries' support, the plea was dropped from the UN's agenda.
1950: El Salvador's Population at 2.2 Million
El Salvador's population was 2,200,000 in 1950.
1958: Name Reaffirmed
El Salvador reaffirmed its official name as "El Salvador" in 1958.
1960: Formation of Christian Democratic Party (PDC) and National Conciliation Party
The Christian Democratic Party (PDC) and the National Conciliation Party (PCN) emerged in 1960 in Salvadoran politics.
1964: José Napoleón Duarte becomes mayor of San Salvador
In 1964, José Napoleón Duarte, leader of the PDC, was elected mayor of San Salvador.
1969: Football War
In 1969, the Football War erupted between El Salvador and Honduras. The conflict stemmed from long-standing tensions related to Salvadoran emigration to Honduras due to high population density in El Salvador and land scarcity. Approximately 130,000 Salvadorans were expelled or fled Honduras during and after the war.
1970: World Cup Qualification
El Salvador's national football team qualified for the FIFA World Cup in 1970.
1970: End of Duarte's mayoral term
In 1970, José Napoleón Duarte's term as mayor of San Salvador ended.
1972: Duarte's presidential candidacy and exile
In 1972, José Napoleón Duarte ran for president but was defeated by Colonel Arturo Armando Molina in an election considered fraudulent. Duarte's support for a subsequent revolt led to his capture, torture, and exile.
1973: Hurricane Emily Affects El Salvador
Hurricane Emily impacted El Salvador in 1973.
1976: Estadio Cuscatlán Opening
Estadio Cuscatlán, the largest stadium in Central America and the Caribbean, opened in 1976.
October 1979: U.S. withdraws support for Romero
By October 1979, the Carter administration decided that regime change was needed in El Salvador, withdrawing support from President Carlos Humberto Romero, the last president of El Salvador's military dictatorship.
October 1979: Coup d'état and establishment of the Revolutionary Government Junta
On October 15, 1979, a coup d'état in El Salvador overthrew the existing government and installed the Revolutionary Government Junta (JRG). The JRG nationalized several private companies and took control of much private land.
1979: Duarte returns from exile
In 1979, José Napoleón Duarte returned to El Salvador from exile to re-enter politics after working in Venezuela.
1979: Salvadoran Civil War Begins
The Salvadoran Civil War began in 1979, a conflict between the US-backed military government and left-wing guerrilla groups.
March 1980: Assassination of Óscar Romero
Archbishop Óscar Romero of San Salvador, known as "the voice of the voiceless" for denouncing injustices and massacres by government forces, was assassinated on March 24, 1980, by a death squad while conducting Mass. This event is considered by some to mark the beginning of the Salvadoran Civil War.
October 1980: Formation of the Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front (FMLN)
In October 1980, various Salvadoran guerrilla groups united to form the Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front (FMLN), consolidating the revolutionary movement. Various student and worker organizations also joined the movement. By the late 1970s, government-sponsored death squads were killing approximately ten people daily.
1980: Start of investigated period for acts of violence
1980 marked the start of the period investigated by the Commission on the Truth for El Salvador concerning acts of violence during the civil war.
1980: Salvadoran Emigration to the US
Starting in 1980, amidst the Salvadoran Civil War, large numbers of Salvadorans began emigrating to the United States.
1982: World Cup Qualification
The El Salvador national football team qualified again for the FIFA World Cup in 1982.
1982: Earthquake Damages San Salvador
San Salvador experienced significant damage due to an earthquake in 1982.
1983: 1983 Constitution
In 1983, the constitution of El Salvador was established as the supreme law of the land, forming the basis for a democratic and representative government consisting of three branches.
1986: Earthquake Causes Deaths, Injuries, and Homelessness
A 5.7 Mw earthquake in 1986 resulted in 1,500 deaths, 10,000 injuries, and left 100,000 people homeless.
1989: Start of ARENA's dominance
From 1989, the Nationalist Republican Alliance (ARENA) began a period of dominance in Salvadoran politics, winning every presidential election until 2009.
1989: Murder of Jesuit Priests
Jesuit priests Ignacio Ellacuría, Ignacio Martín-Baró, and Segundo Montes were murdered by the Salvadoran Army in 1989.
January 1992: Signing of the Chapultepec Peace Accords
On January 16, 1992, the Chapultepec Peace Accords were signed in Mexico City, bringing an end to the 12-year Salvadoran Civil War. The agreement was signed by the Salvadoran government, represented by President Alfredo Cristiani, and the FMLN, represented by commanders of five guerrilla groups.
September 1992: Value-Added Tax Implementation
A 10% value-added tax (IVA) was implemented in El Salvador in September 1992.
1992: Chapultepec Peace Accords
The Salvadoran Civil War ended in 1992 with the signing of the Chapultepec Peace Accords, which established a multiparty constitutional republic.
1992: End of Civil War
The Salvadoran Civil War ended in 1992.
1992: End of the Salvadoran Civil War
The Salvadoran Civil War officially ended in 1992.
1993: Commission on the Truth delivers findings and amnesty law is passed
In 1993, the Commission on the Truth for El Salvador presented its report on human rights violations committed during the civil war. Shortly after, the Salvadoran legislature passed an amnesty law covering all acts of violence during the conflict.
July 1995: Value-Added Tax Increase
The value-added tax (IVA) in El Salvador was raised from 10% to 13% in July 1995.
1996: Economic Growth
Following 1996, El Salvador's GDP experienced an average annual real growth rate of 3.2%.
1997: Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources Established
In 1997, El Salvador established the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources.
1998: Hurricane Mitch Impacts El Salvador
Hurricane Mitch, a devastating hurricane, significantly affected El Salvador in 1998.
1999: General Environmental Framework Law Approved
The National Assembly passed a general environmental framework law in 1999.
2000: Trade Figures
From 2000 to 2006, influenced by free trade agreements, El Salvador's total exports grew by 19% (from $2.94 billion to $3.51 billion), while total imports increased by 54% (from $4.95 billion to $7.63 billion), leading to a 102% rise in the trade deficit (from $2.01 billion to $4.12 billion).
January 2001: Major Earthquake Causes Landslide and Deaths
A 7.7 magnitude earthquake in January 2001 triggered a landslide, resulting in over 800 deaths.
February 2001: Another Earthquake Causes Deaths and Damage
Just a month after the devastating January earthquake, another earthquake struck in February 2001, causing 255 fatalities and extensive damage to housing.
2001: Dollarization
El Salvador adopted the United States dollar as its official currency in 2001, replacing the colón.
2001: Severe Drought Causes Famine
A severe drought in 2001 devastated 80% of El Salvador's crops and led to widespread famine in rural areas.
2004: Salvadoran Emigration
As of 2004, approximately 3.2 million Salvadorans lived outside El Salvador, primarily in the United States.
2004: Super Mano Dura
In 2004, El Salvador implemented the "Super Mano Dura" gang reform program, which saw temporary success.
2004: PDC and PCN fail to secure enough votes
In 2004, the PDC and PCN parties failed to obtain sufficient votes in the presidential election to maintain their legal status, ultimately leading to their dissolution in 2011.
2004: Gang-Related Homicides
In 2004, there were 41 intentional homicides per 100,000 citizens in El Salvador, with 60% being gang-related.
2004: Palestinian Influence in El Salvador's Politics
The 2004 presidential election in El Salvador highlighted the political influence of the Palestinian immigrant community, with both candidates, Antonio Saca and Schafik Handal, being of Palestinian descent.
2004: End of ARENA's winning streak
The Nationalist Republican Alliance (ARENA) held the presidency from 1989 until 2004.
October 2005: Santa Ana Volcano Erupts
The Santa Ana Volcano erupted on October 1, 2005, causing two deaths and impacting nearby villages.
October 2005: Severe Rains Cause Flooding and Landslides
Heavy rainfall in October 2005 triggered severe flooding and landslides, resulting in over 50 fatalities.
2005: Expiration of Multi Fibre Arrangement
The Multi Fibre Arrangement expired in 2005, impacting the competitiveness of El Salvador's apparel sector.
2005: Rise in Crime after Super Mano Dura
After 2005, crime rates in El Salvador rose again following the implementation of the "Super Mano Dura" program.
2006: CAFTA Ratification
El Salvador became the first country to ratify the Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) with the United States in 2006.
2006: Trade Figures
From 2000 to 2006, influenced by free trade agreements, El Salvador's total exports grew by 19% (from $2.94 billion to $3.51 billion), while total imports increased by 54% (from $4.95 billion to $7.63 billion), leading to a 102% rise in the trade deficit (from $2.01 billion to $4.12 billion).
2006: Rejection of Same-Sex Marriage Proposals
Proposals for same-sex marriage recognition were rejected twice in 2006 in El Salvador.
2006: Remittances and GDP
Remittances totaled $3.32 billion, or 16.2% of El Salvador's GDP in 2006 and has grown steadily since the early 2000s.
2007: Real GDP Growth Rate
El Salvador's real GDP growth rate reached 4.7% in 2007, boosted by the government's commitment to free market policies.
2008: Salvadorans in the US
By 2008, nearly one million Salvadorans had immigrated to the United States since 1980, making them the sixth-largest immigrant group in the US.
2008: El Salvador Initiates Arbitration Against Enel
El Salvador initiated international arbitration against Italy's Enel Green Power in 2008 over a geothermal project on behalf of state-owned electric companies.
2008: Sector Contributions to GDP
In 2008, the industrial sector represented 24.7% of El Salvador's GDP.
March 2009: FMLN Presidential Victory
In March 2009, Mauricio Funes of the leftist Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front (FMLN) won the presidential election, breaking a streak of four consecutive wins by the Nationalist Republican Alliance (ARENA).
March 2009: Mauricio Funes elected president
On March 15, 2009, Mauricio Funes, a journalist, won the presidential election in El Salvador, becoming the first president from the FMLN party.
June 2009: Mauricio Funes inaugurated as president
On June 1, 2009, Mauricio Funes was inaugurated as the president of El Salvador.
December 2009: Antonio Saca expelled from ARENA and forms GANA
In December 2009, Antonio Saca was expelled from the ARENA party and subsequently established the Grand Alliance for National Unity (GANA), forming a legislative alliance with the FMLN.
2009: ARENA's Electoral Defeat
The U.S. Embassy in San Salvador attributed ARENA's electoral defeat in 2009 to public disapproval of corruption during the Saca administration.
2009: U.S. Embassy Concerns over El Salvador's Energy Policies
The U.S. Embassy in 2009 expressed concerns about El Salvador's populist energy policies, including mandated low electricity prices and judicial corruption, and advised U.S. businesses to include arbitration clauses in contracts.
2009: Rejection of Same-Sex Marriage Proposals
In 2009, another proposal for the recognition of same-sex marriage was rejected in El Salvador.
2010: El Salvador's Age Demographics
In 2010, El Salvador's population was distributed as follows: 32.1% under 15, 61% between 15 and 65, and 6.9% over 65.
2010: Sector Contributions to GDP
The agriculture sector constituted 11.2% of El Salvador's GDP in 2010.
2010: Mining Sector Contribution to GDP
Between 2010 and 2015, metallic mining contributed a mere 0.3% to El Salvador's GDP, according to the Central American Institute for Fiscal Studies.
2011: Estimated Gang Members
An estimated 25,000 gang members were at large in El Salvador in 2011, with an additional 9,000 imprisoned.
2011: Dissolution of PDC and PCN
In 2011, the Supreme Court of El Savador disbanded the Christian Democratic Party (PDC) and the National Conciliation Party (PCN). The parties were dissolved for not garnering enough votes in the 2004 presidential election. Both were later reconstituted.
April 2012: Economic Crisis and IMF Loan Suspension
In April 2012, El Salvador faced an economic crisis exacerbated by natural disasters, government subsidies, and corruption, leading the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to suspend a $750 million loan.
2012: Salvadoran Americans
By 2012, about 2.0 million Salvadoran immigrants and Americans of Salvadoran descent lived in the U.S., becoming the sixth largest immigrant group.
2012: High Murder Rate
El Salvador had the world's highest murder rate in 2012.
2012: Increased Homicide Rate
The homicide rate in El Salvador increased to 66 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2012.
2013: Social Views on Homosexuality
A 2013 Pew Research survey revealed that 53% of Salvadorans did not believe homosexuality should be accepted by society. Though homosexuality was legal, same-sex marriage was not recognized, with proposals rejected in 2006 and 2009. Abortion was also banned without exception.
2013: Foreign Investment in El Salvador
In 2013, foreign direct investment (FDI) in El Salvador saw growth, although it remained lower than other Central American countries due to factors like limited market size, infrastructure challenges, and crime, according to Santander Trade. However, El Salvador was noted for its business-friendly taxation and skilled labor force.
2013: Tourism-Related Employment in El Salvador
In 2013, tourism directly supported 80,500 jobs (3.1% of total employment) and indirectly supported 317,200 jobs (11.6% of total employment).
March 2014: Salvador Sánchez Cerén wins election
In March 2014, Salvador Sánchez Cerén, a former FMLN guerrilla leader, won the presidential election in El Salvador.
May 2014: Salvador Sánchez Cerén inaugurated as president
Salvador Sánchez Cerén was sworn in as president of El Salvador on May 31, 2014, becoming the first former guerrilla to hold the office.
December 2014: Enel-El Salvador Dispute Settled
In December 2014, a dispute between El Salvador and Italy's Enel Green Power over a geothermal project was settled through international arbitration, with no details released.
2014: World Bank Ranks El Salvador's Business Environment
In 2014, the World Bank ranked El Salvador 109th in its "Ease of doing business" index, an improvement attributed to policies under the Funes administrations.
2014: Funes' Leadership Ends
Mauricio Funes led the social liberal wing of the FMLN until 2014 while the Marxist-Leninist faction dominated the legislature.
2014: International Tourist Arrivals in El Salvador
An estimated 1,394,000 international tourists visited El Salvador in 2014.
2014: El Salvador's Corruption Perception Ranking
El Salvador ranked 80th out of 175 countries in the 2014 Corruption Perception Index, performing relatively well compared to Panama and Costa Rica.
2015: Improved Water and Sanitation Access in El Salvador
A 2015 study by the University of North Carolina highlighted El Salvador's significant progress in improving access to water supply and sanitation, particularly in reducing urban-rural inequity. However, water pollution and wastewater treatment remained challenges.
2015: Mining Sector Contribution to GDP
Between 2010 and 2015, metallic mining contributed a mere 0.3% to El Salvador's GDP, according to the Central American Institute for Fiscal Studies.
2015: Recorded Homicides
In 2015, El Salvador recorded 6,650 homicides.
2016: Recorded Homicides
At least 5,728 people were murdered in El Salvador in 2016.
2016: Funes Seeks Asylum in Nicaragua
Former President Funes sought asylum in Nicaragua in 2016.
October 2017: Former President Funes Ruled to Have Illegally Enriched Himself
In October 2017, a court in El Salvador found former president Funes and one of his sons guilty of illicit enrichment.
December 2017: International Reserves
El Salvador's net international reserves reached $3.57 billion in December 2017.
2017: Recorded Homicides
El Salvador recorded 3,962 homicides in 2017.
September 2018: Former President Saca Sentenced to Prison
In September 2018, former president Saca received a 10-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to misappropriating over US$300 million of state funds.
October 2018: Canonization of Óscar Romero
In October 2018, Óscar Romero, the first Salvadoran saint, was canonized by Pope Francis.
2018: El Salvador Transitions to Digital TV/Radio
El Salvador completed its transition to digital transmission for TV and radio networks in 2018, adopting the ISDB-T standard.
2018: El Salvador's Forest Landscape Integrity Index Assessed
El Salvador's Forest Landscape Integrity Index was evaluated in 2018, with a mean score of 4.06/10, placing it 136th globally.
2018: Recorded Homicides
In 2018, 3,348 deaths were recorded in El Salvador.
February 2019: Bukele Wins Presidential Election
Nayib Bukele won the presidential election in February 2019, representing GANA.
June 2019: Nayib Bukele Becomes President
Nayib Bukele assumed the presidency of El Salvador on June 1, 2019.
2019: Bukele's Presidential Win
Nayib Bukele, representing the GANA party, won the 2019 Salvadoran presidential election, disrupting the long-standing two-party dominance of ARENA and FMLN.
2019: Tourism's Contribution to El Salvador's GDP
Tourism contributed US$2.97 billion to El Salvador's GDP in 2019, representing 11% of the total.
2019: Start of Period Without Homicides
The period of one year without homicides announced in May 2023 started in 2019, according to President Bukele.
2019: Remittances from the U.S.
In 2019, remittances from Salvadorans living in the U.S. constituted a significant source of foreign income for El Salvador, offsetting the trade deficit. Approximately 2.35 million Salvadorans resided in the U.S., with remittances comprising about 20% of El Salvador's GDP, one of the highest globally.
2019: Global Innovation Index Ranking
In 2019, El Salvador held the 108th position in the Global Innovation Index.
2019: Economic Improvement
By 2019, El Salvador's economic diversification efforts had resulted in the lowest income inequality among neighboring countries.
2019: Recorded Homicides
Authorities reported 2,365 homicides in El Salvador during 2019.
2019: Decline in Crime
A sharp decline in El Salvador's murder rate occurred in 2019 under a new conservative government.
June 2020: Hospital El Salvador Inaugurated
In June 2020, President Nayib Bukele inaugurated Hospital El Salvador, converted from the country's main convention center, as a permanent facility due to the substantial investment. The first phase cost $25 million, with the total cost projected at $75 million.
2020: 5G Testing Begins in El Salvador
El Salvador began testing 5G coverage in 2020, promoted by liberal government regulation favoring mobile penetration over fixed lines.
2020: Recorded Homicides
There were 1,322 reported homicides in El Salvador in 2020.
2020: Homicide Rate Drops Under Bukele
A 2020 report by the International Crisis Group indicated a significant decrease in El Salvador's homicide rate since Bukele's inauguration in June 2019.
January 2021: El Salvador's Energy Mix
In January 2021, El Salvador's energy mix was composed primarily of hydroelectric (28.5%), geothermal (27.3%), biomass (24.4%), photovoltaic solar (10.6%), and wind (3.6%) sources, according to the National Energy Commission.
February 2021: Nuevas Ideas Wins Legislative Elections
Bukele's party, Nuevas Ideas, and its allies secured a supermajority in the February 2021 legislative elections.
February 2021: El Salvador Awarded Malaria Elimination Certification
El Salvador was the first Central American country to receive malaria elimination certification from the WHO in February 2021.
February 2021: Nuevas Ideas Wins Congressional Majority
In February 2021, Nuevas Ideas (New Ideas), the party allied with President Nayib Bukele, won an unprecedented majority in El Salvador's congressional elections, marking a significant shift in the country's political landscape.
June 2021: Bitcoin Becomes Legal Tender
El Salvador adopted bitcoin as legal tender on June 8, 2021, under President Bukele's initiative.
June 2021: Bitcoin as Legal Tender Proposal
In June 2021, President Nayib Bukele proposed legislation to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender in El Salvador. The Bitcoin Law was subsequently passed by the Legislative Assembly on June 9, 2021.
September 2021: Supreme Court Allows Bukele to Seek Re-election
In September 2021, the Supreme Court ruled that Bukele could run for a second term in 2024, overturning the constitutional ban on consecutive presidential terms.
September 2021: Bitcoin Becomes Legal Tender
Bitcoin officially became legal tender in El Salvador on September 7, 2021.
2021: Ease of Doing Business
In a 2021 study, El Salvador was ranked as having one of the least complex economies for doing business among 77 countries.
2021: El Salvador's Population Reaches 6.3 Million
El Salvador's population reached 6,314,167 in 2021, a significant increase from 2,200,000 in 1950.
2021: GDP Growth
El Salvador's GDP, estimated at US$57.95 billion in purchasing power parity, grew by 4.2% in 2021. The service sector contributed the most to the GDP (64.1%), followed by industry (24.7%) and agriculture (11.2%).
2021: Recorded Homicides
El Salvador recorded 1,140 homicides in 2021, the lowest since the end of the civil war in 1992.
January 2022: IMF Urges El Salvador to Reverse Bitcoin Decision, Bitcoin City Announced
In January 2022, the International Monetary Fund recommended that El Salvador revoke bitcoin's status as legal tender, and Bukele revealed plans for "Bitcoin City.”
March 2022: Gang Violence and State of Emergency
Three days of gang violence in March 2022 resulted in 87 deaths, leading to a state of emergency and mass arrests.
March 2022: Bitcoin Usage among Merchants
As of March 2022, only 14% of merchants in El Salvador had processed at least one Bitcoin transaction, according to a survey by the Salvadoran Chamber of Commerce.
May 2022: Economic Difficulties and Looming Sovereign Default
By May 2022, El Salvador faced economic hardship and the possibility of a sovereign default as bitcoin's value plummeted and government bonds traded at a fraction of their initial worth.
2022: Estimated Gang Members
In 2022, the Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) and Barrio 18 gangs had an estimated 70,000 members.
2022: Homicide Rate Drops Compared to Previous Year
The homicide rate in El Salvador in 2022 was reported as 495, decreasing in the following year.
2022: Homicide Rate
El Salvador's homicide rate was 7.8 per 100,000 individuals in 2022.
2022: Crackdown on Gang Violence
The Salvadoran government launched a major offensive against gangs and gang-related violence in 2022, leading to a state of emergency and mass arrests.
May 2023: One Year Without Homicide
President Bukele claimed a full year without a homicide in El Salvador as of May 2023, since 2019.
August 2023: Gang Crackdown
As of August 2023, around 72,000 suspected gang members were imprisoned in El Salvador.
November 2023: Bukele Granted Leave for Re-election Campaign
Bukele and Vice President Ulloa were granted leave by the Legislative Assembly in November 2023 to concentrate on the 2024 re-election campaign, with Claudia Rodríguez de Guevara becoming acting president.
2023: Political Framework and Democratic Ranking
As of 2023, El Salvador functioned as a presidential representative democratic republic with a multi-party system. Nayib Bukele served as both president and head of government, with executive power held by the government, legislative power shared between the government and the Legislative Assembly, and an independent judiciary and Supreme Court. El Salvador was ranked 5th least electoral democratic country in Latin America and the Caribbean in a 2023 V-Dem Democracy Report.
2023: Homicide Rate Drops Significantly
El Salvador saw a significant drop in its homicide rate in 2023, down to 154 from 495 in 2022.
January 2024: Significant Drop in Homicide Rate Announced
A significant decrease in the homicide rate was reported in January 2024, with 154 homicides in 2023 compared to 495 in 2022.
February 2024: Bukele Wins Re-election
Bukele secured re-election with a landslide victory in February 2024, garnering 83% of the vote.
June 2024: Bukele Sworn in for Second Term
Bukele commenced his second five-year term as president on June 1, 2024.
December 2024: El Salvador Strengthens Bitcoin Reserves
In December 2024, the Salvadoran government under President Nayib Bukele purchased 11 more BTC for over a million dollars, adding to its strategic bitcoin reserves.
2024: El Salvador Demographics
In 2024, El Salvador, officially the Republic of El Salvador, had a population estimated at 6 million according to a government census.
2024: Bukele Allowed to Seek Re-election
The Supreme Court ruling allows Bukele to seek re-election in 2024.
2024: Global Innovation Index
El Salvador was ranked 98th in the Global Innovation Index in 2024.
2024: Homicide Rate
El Salvador reported a homicide rate of 1.9 per 100,000 people in 2024, the lowest in Latin America.
2024: Bukele Runs for Re-election
Bukele will run for re-election in 2024.
2024: El Salvador's Global Hunger Index Ranking
El Salvador ranked 43rd out of 127 countries in the 2024 Global Hunger Index, with a score of 8.0, indicating a low level of hunger.