Full History Of El Salvador In Timeline From 1903

1903: End of General Tomás Regalado's Presidency

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

July 1906: Death of General Tomás Regalado

On July 11, 1906, General Tomás Regalado was killed 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 in El Salvador.

1913: Assassination of President Manuel Enrique Araujo

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

1913: Start of the Meléndez-Quiñónez Dynasty

In 1913, the Meléndez–Quiñónez dynasty began, which lasted until 1927.

1915: Country Name Officially Changed to El Salvador

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

1919: Earthquake causes heavy damage in San Salvador

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

1927: End of the Meléndez-Quiñónez Dynasty

The Meléndez–Quiñónez dynasty, which began in 1913, ended in 1927.

December 1930: Exile of Farabundo Martí

In December 1930, at the height of the country's economic and social depression, Farabundo Martí was exiled because of his popularity and rumors of his presidential nomination.

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: Military Coup 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: Start of military dictatorship

In 1931, El Salvador's military dictatorship began.

1931: Martí Returns to El Salvador

In 1931, after Araujo was elected president, Farabundo Martí returned to El Salvador and began a movement that was later truncated by the military.

January 1932: Brutal Suppression of La Matanza

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

January 1932: Peasant revolt against the government

On 22 January 1932, thousands of poorly armed peasants revolted against the government, making initial gains before being brutally suppressed.

1935: Martínez ruled from 1935 to 1939

Martinez ruled El Salvador from 1935 to 1939, then from 1939 to 1943.

1939: Martínez ruled from 1939 to 1943

Martinez ruled El Salvador from 1939 to 1943. he also ruled from 1935 to 1939

1943: Martínez ruled from 1939 to 1943

Martinez ruled El Salvador from 1939 to 1943. He also ruled from 1935 to 1939

1944: Martínez Resigned after a General Strike

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

November 1950: Support for Tibetan Government

In November 1950, El Salvador stood alone in supporting the Tibetan Government's appeal to the United Nations General Assembly to address China's annexation of Tibet. The UN dropped the plea from its agenda due to lack of support from other countries.

1950: El Salvador's population in 1950

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

1958: Legislature Reaffirmed Country's Name as El Salvador

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

1960: Christian Democratic Party (PDC) and the National Conciliation Party (PCN) were active

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

1964: José Napoleón Duarte became the mayor of San Salvador

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

1969: Football War with Honduras

In 1969, the Football War occurred between El Salvador and Honduras, largely caused by Salvadoran emigration to Honduras.

1970: El Salvador qualifies for FIFA World Cup

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

1970: José Napoleón Duarte became the mayor of San Salvador

Until 1970, José Napoleón Duarte was the mayor of San Salvador, winning three elections.

1972: Fraudulent Presidential Elections

In 1972, José Napoleón Duarte lost the presidential elections 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

In 1976, the Estadio Cuscatlán opened in San Salvador. With a seating capacity of 53,400, it is the largest stadium in Central America and the Caribbean.

October 1979: Carter administration decided that El Salvador needed regime change

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

October 1979: Coup d'état Brought the Revolutionary Government Junta to Power

On 15 October 1979, a coup d'état brought the Revolutionary Government Junta (JRG) to power, leading to nationalization of private companies and land.

1979: Duarte Returned to El Salvador

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

1979: Start of the Salvadoran Civil War

In 1979, the Salvadoran Civil War began, fought between the military-led government and left-wing guerrilla groups, due to socioeconomic inequality and civil unrest.

March 1980: Assassination of Óscar Romero

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

October 1980: Formation of the Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front (FMLN)

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

1980: Salvadorans Emigrate to the United States

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

1980: Commission on the Truth investigation into acts of violence

In 1980 the Commission on the Truth for El Salvador began to investigate serious acts of violence, and the nature and effects of the violence, to recommend methods of promoting national reconciliation.

1982: El Salvador qualifies for FIFA World Cup

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

1982: Earthquake causes heavy damage in San Salvador

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

1983: New constitution implemented

In 1983 the El Salvador constitution came into effect.

1986: Earthquake results in deaths, injuries, and homelessness

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

1989: ARENA in power

From 1989, Salvadorans favored the Nationalist Republican Alliance (ARENA), voting in ARENA presidents in every election.

1989: Murder of Jesuit priests and professors

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

January 1992: Signing of Peace Agreements

On 16 January 1992, the government of El Salvador and the FMLN signed peace agreements in Chapultepec Castle, Mexico, ending the 12-year civil war, in the presence of U.N. dignitaries and international representatives.

September 1992: Implementation of VAT

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

1992: End of the Civil War

2021 saw the lowest number of murders since the end of the Civil War in 1992.

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 by both sides during the conflict. Five days later in 1993, the Salvadoran legislature passed an amnesty law for all acts of violence during the period.

July 1995: VAT Increase

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 average annual rate of 3.2%.

1997: Government establishes Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources

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: Export and Import Growth

From 2000 to 2006, El Salvador's total exports grew 19% from $2.94 billion to $3.51 billion, and total imports rose 54% from $4.95 billion to $7.63 billion.

January 2001: El Salvador adopts the United States dollar

On 1 January 2001, El Salvador adopted the United States dollar as its currency.

January 2001: Earthquake causes landslide and deaths

On 13 January 2001, a magnitude 7.7 earthquake caused a landslide that killed more than 800 people.

February 2001: Earthquake causes deaths and damage

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

2001: Currency change to the United States dollar

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

2001: Severe drought destroys crops

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

2004: Salvadorans living abroad

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

2004: "Super Mano Dura" gang reform

In 2004, the "Super Mano Dura" (Super Firm Hand) gang reform experienced temporary success in El Salvador.

2004: Homicide rate in 2004

In 2004, there were 41 intentional homicides per 100,000 citizens in El Salvador, with 60% being gang-related.

2004: 2004 Election

In the 2004 election, Antonio Saca, of Palestinian descent, was elected President. His opponent, Schafik Handal, was also of Palestinian descent.

2004: Failure of Christian Democratic Party (PDC) and the National Conciliation Party (PCN) to win enough votes

The Christian Democratic Party (PDC) and the National Conciliation Party (PCN) failed to win enough votes in the 2004 presidential election.

2004: ARENA in power until 2004

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

October 2005: Eruption of Santa Ana Volcano

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 cause flooding and landslides

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

2005: Expiration of Multi Fibre Arrangement

In 2005, El Salvador anticipated declines in the apparel sector's competitiveness with the expiration of the Multi Fibre Arrangement, and the previous administration sought to diversify the economy.

2005: Epicentre of a gang crisis

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

2006: Export and Import Growth

From 2000 to 2006, El Salvador's total exports grew 19% from $2.94 billion to $3.51 billion, and total imports rose 54% from $4.95 billion to $7.63 billion.

2006: Ratification of CAFTA

In 2006, El Salvador was the first country to ratify the Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) with the United States.

2006: Gay marriage proposal rejected

In 2006, a proposal for gay marriage was legally rejected.

2006: Remittances in 2006

In 2006, remittances to El Salvador were $3.32 billion, approximately 16.2% of the GDP.

2007: GDP Growth

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

2008: Salvadorans in the United States

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

2008: El Salvador sought arbitration against Enel Green Power

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: GDP sector breakdown

In 2008, the service sector was the largest component of El Salvador's GDP at 64.1%, followed by the industrial sector at 24.7%.

March 2009: Election of Mauricio Funes

In March 2009, Mauricio Funes of the FMLN party won the presidential election, breaking the dominance of the Nationalist Republican Alliance (ARENA), which had won four consecutive presidential elections.

March 2009: Mauricio Funes becomes President

On 15 March 2009, Mauricio Funes, a television figure, became the first president from the FMLN.

June 2009: Mauricio Funes inaugurated as President

On 1 June 2009, Mauricio Funes was inaugurated as president of El Salvador, focusing on revealing corruption from past governments.

December 2009: Saca expelled from ARENA and forms GANA

In December 2009, ARENA formally expelled Saca from the party. 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 proposal rejected again

In 2009, a proposal for gay marriage was legally rejected for another time.

2009: 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.

2009: US Embassy warning

In 2009, the U.S. Embassy warned that El Salvador's policies of mandating artificially low electricity prices were damaging private sector profitability. The embassy also noted the corruption of El Salvador's judicial system and quietly urged American businesses to include "arbitration clauses, preferably with a foreign venue", when doing business in the country.

2010: Metallic mining contribution to GDP

Between 2010 and 2015, the contribution of metallic mining was a minuscule 0.3% of the country's GDP.

2010: Age distribution of the population

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

2010: GDP sector breakdown

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

2011: Disbandment of the Christian Democratic Party (PDC) and the National Conciliation Party (PCN)

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

2011: Gang Members in 2011

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 (IMF) suspended a $750 million loan to the central government of El Salvador due to issues with large economic subsidies.

2012: Salvadoran immigrants in the U.S.

By 2012, there were approximately 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

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

2012: Homicide rate in 2012

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

2013: FDI influx increase

According to Santander Trade, a Spanish think tank, in 2013, the influx of FDI into El Salvador increased, but the country still received less FDI than other Central American nations.

2013: Pew Research Survey on Homosexuality

According to a 2013 survey by Pew Research, 53% of Salvadorans believed that homosexuality should not be accepted by society, highlighting the widespread discrimination against LGBT people in El Salvador.

2013: Tourism Job Support

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

March 2014: Cerén wins the election

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

May 2014: Cerén sworn in as president

On 31 May 2014, Cerén was sworn in as president, becoming the first former guerrilla to hold the office.

December 2014: Settlement between El Salvador and Enel Green Power

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

2014: Corruption Perceptions Index Ranking

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

2014: Mauricio Funes' tenure

In 2014, Mauricio Funes finished his presidential term.

2014: World Bank Ease of Doing Business Index

In 2014, the World Bank rated El Salvador 109 in the "Ease of doing business" index.

2014: International Tourist Visits

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

2015: Metallic mining contribution to GDP

Between 2010 and 2015, the contribution of metallic mining was a minuscule 0.3% of the country's GDP.

2015: Homicides Recorded in 2015

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

2015: Progress in water supply and sanitation

In 2015, a study by the University of North Carolina recognized El Salvador as the country with the most significant progress in increasing access to water supply and sanitation and reducing inequality between urban and rural areas.

2016: Homicides Recorded in 2016

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

2016: Funes seeks asylum in Nicaragua

In 2016, former president Funes sought asylum in Nicaragua.

October 2017: Court rules Funes illegally enriched himself

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 2017

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

September 2018: Saca sentenced to prison

In September 2018, former president Saca was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to diverting more than US$300 million in state funds.

October 2018: Canonization of Óscar Romero

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

2018: Forest Landscape Integrity Index

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

2018: Transition to digital TV

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

2018: Homicides Recorded in 2018

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

February 2019: Nayib Bukele wins presidential election

In February 2019, Nayib Bukele won the presidential election, representing GANA, as he was denied participating with the newly formed Nuevas Ideas party.

June 2019: Homicide rate drops after Bukele becomes president

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: Nayib Bukele becomes President

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

2019: Lowest level of income inequality

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

2019: Sharp decline in murder rate

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

2019: Global Innovation Index Ranking in 2019

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

2019: Election of Nayib Bukele

In 2019, Nayib Bukele, a candidate from GANA, won the Salvadoran presidential election, further disrupting the traditional two-party dominance.

2019: Homicides Recorded in 2019

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

2019: Remittances in 2019

In 2019, remittances to El Salvador amounted to nearly $6 billion, about 20% of the country's GDP, which is one of the highest rates in the world, with 2.35 million Salvadorans living in the U.S. and about a third of all households received remittances.

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 in El Salvador.

2019: Year without Homicides

On May 10, 2023, President Bukele announced that El Salvador had completed a full year (365 days) since 2019 without a single homicide.

June 2020: Conversion of convention center into Hospital El Salvador

In June 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the government inaugurated Hospital El Salvador, converted from the country's main convention center. The conversion cost US$75 million and the president announced it would be permanent.

2020: ICG report on homicide rate

According to a report by the International Crisis Group (ICG) 2020, the homicide rate in El Salvador had dropped by as much as 60% since Bukele became president in June 2019.

2020: 5G testing

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

2020: Homicides Recorded in 2020

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

January 2021: Energy Injections

According to the National Energy Commission, during January 2021, 94.4% of total energy injections in El Salvador came from hydroelectric plants (28.5%), geothermal (27.3%), biomass (24.4%), photovoltaic solar (10.6%) and wind (3.6%).

February 2021: Legislative Election

In February 2021, the legislative election results caused a major shift in El Salvador's political landscape, with President Nayib Bukele's new allied party, Nuevas Ideas (New Ideas), securing the largest congressional majority in the country's history.

February 2021: Nuevas Ideas win legislative elections

In the February 2021 legislative elections, Nuevas Ideas (NI), with its ally GANA, won around 63% of the vote, securing a supermajority in parliament.

June 2021: Bukele Announces Bitcoin Legislation

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

June 2021: Bitcoin made 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 for a second term

In September 2021, El Salvador's Supreme Court ruled to allow Bukele to run for a second term in 2024, despite constitutional prohibitions.

September 2021: Bitcoin Becomes Legal Tender

On 7 September 2021, Bitcoin officially became legal tender in El Salvador. The law allowed foreigners to gain permanent residence by investing 3 Bitcoin into the country.

2021: One of the least complex economies for doing business

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

2021: GDP estimate for 2021

Gross domestic product (GDP) in purchasing power parity estimate for 2021 is US$57.95 billion growing real GDP at 4.2%.

2021: Homicides Recorded in 2021

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

2021: El Salvador's population in 2021

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

January 2022: IMF urges El Salvador to reverse Bitcoin decision; Bukele announces Bitcoin City

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

March 2022: Merchant Bitcoin Transactions

According to a March 2022 survey, only 14% of merchants in El Salvador had 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 resulted in 87 deaths. On March 26, in response, President Bukele asked the parliament to ratify a state of emergency and ordered mass arrests.

May 2022: Government bonds trading at 40% of their original value

As of May 2022, El Salvador's government bonds were trading at 40% of their original value, indicating a prospect of a looming sovereign default.

2022: Homicide rate in 2022

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

2022: Estimated gang membership

In 2022, it was estimated that Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) and Barrio 18 gangs, among others, had around 70,000 members in El Salvador.

2022: Government initiates fight against criminal gangs

In 2022, the Salvadoran government initiated a massive fight against criminal gangs and gang-related violence, resulting in a state of emergency and numerous arrests, leading to the highest incarceration rate globally.

May 2023: Year without homicides

On May 10, 2023, President Bukele announced that El Salvador had completed a full year (365 days) since 2019 without a single homicide.

August 2023: Government crackdown on gangs

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

November 2023: Bukele takes leave of absence for re-election campaign

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

2023: V-Dem Democracy Report ranking

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

2023: Homicide Rate in 2023

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.

January 2024: Homicide rate drops nearly 70%

In January 2024, it was announced that the homicide rate dropped nearly 70% year over year.

February 2024: Bukele wins re-election; Nuevas Ideas wins parliament majority

On 4 February 2024, Bukele won re-election with 84% of the vote. 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, Bukele was sworn in for his second five-year term.

December 2024: Government Purchases Bitcoin

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

2024: Global Innovation Index Ranking in 2024

El Salvador was ranked 98th in the Global Innovation Index in 2024.

2024: Global Hunger Index Ranking

In 2024, El Salvador ranked 43rd out of 127 countries in the Global Hunger Index, with a low level of hunger indicated by a score of 8.0.

2024: Homicide rate in 2024

In 2024, El Salvador reported a homicide rate of 1.9 per 100,000 people, the lowest in Latin America and a 98% decrease in nine years.

2024: Population Census

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

2024: Supreme Court allows Bukele to run for a second term in 2024

In September 2021, El Salvador's Supreme Court ruled to allow Bukele to run for a second term in 2024, despite constitutional prohibitions.

2024: Bukele and Ulloa's re-election campaign

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

February 2025: Highest prisoner rate worldwide

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

February 2025: El Salvador’s Congress agreed to remove Bitcoin's legal tender status

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

March 2025: US Transfers Immigrants to El Salvador Prison

In March 2025, the United States transferred over 200 immigrants, alleged to be members of a Venezuelan gang, to El Salvador to be imprisoned in violation of court orders, as part of President Bukele’s efforts to reduce crime.

April 2025: Bitcoin value is trading twice the price that it was when El Salvador made it legal tender.

However, 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.