Full History Of El Salvador In Timeline From 1903

1903: End of General Tomás Regalado's Presidency

In 1903, General Tomás Regalado's term 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: National Guard Creation

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

1913: President Manuel Enrique Araujo Murdered

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

1913: Start of the Meléndez–Quiñónez Dynasty

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

1915: Law Passed Rendering Country Name as El Salvador

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

1919: San Salvador Damaged in Tremors

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

1927: End of the Meléndez–Quiñónez Dynasty

The Meléndez–Quiñónez dynasty ended in 1927.

December 1930: Martí Exiled

In December 1930, Farabundo Martí was exiled because of his popularity among the nation's poor and rumours of his upcoming nomination for president the following year.

1930: Free Elections Announced

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.

1931: Military Dictatorship Began

In 1931, the country's military dictatorship began.

1931: Martí Returns to El Salvador

Once Araujo was elected president in 1931, Martí returned to El Salvador.

January 1932: Brutal Suppression of La Matanza

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

January 1932: Peasant Revolt

On January 22, 1932, thousands of poorly armed peasants in the western part of El Salvador revolted against the government and Martínez.

1935: Martínez Rules

In 1935, Martínez ruled.

1939: Martínez Rules

In 1939, Martínez ruled.

1943: Martínez Rules

In 1943, Martínez ruled.

1944: Martínez Resigns

In May 1944, Martínez resigned after a general strike.

November 1950: El Salvador supports the Dalai Lama

In November 1950, El Salvador was the only country that supported the 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. However, due to lack of support from other countries, the UN dropped the Tibetan plea.

1950: El Salvador's Population in 1950

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

1958: Legislature Reaffirms Country's Name as El Salvador

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

1960: PDC and PCN Active

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

1964: Duarte Mayor of San Salvador

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

1969: Football War

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

1970: End of Duarte's Term as Mayor

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

1970: El Salvador Qualified for FIFA World Cup in 1970

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

1972: Duarte Defeated in Presidential Elections

In the 1972 presidential elections, Duarte was defeated by Colonel Arturo Armando Molina in an election 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: Opening of Estadio Cuscatlán in 1976

The Estadio Cuscatlán in San Salvador, the home stadium for the national football team, opened in 1976.

October 1979: U.S. Decides El Salvador Needs Regime Change

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

October 1979: Coup d'état Brings JRG to Power

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

1979: Duarte Returns to El Salvador

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

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 by a death squad while saying Mass, marking the beginning of the full Salvadoran Civil War.

October 1980: Formation of 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.

1980: Start of Investigation into Acts of Violence

In 1980, the government agreed to submit to the recommendations of a Commission on the Truth for El Salvador, which would investigate serious acts of violence and recommend methods of promoting national reconciliation.

1982: El Salvador Qualified for FIFA World Cup in 1982

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

1982: San Salvador Damaged in Tremors

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

1983: Constitution has highest legal authority

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

1986: Earthquake Results in Deaths, Injuries, and Homelessness

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

1989: ARENA's Dominance Begins

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

1989: Murder of Jesuit Priests in 1989

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 Mexico, ending the 12-year civil war.

September 1992: Value-added tax (IVA) implemented

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

1992: End of the Salvadoran Civil War

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

1992: End of Civil War in 1992

The civil war in El Salvador ended in 1992.

1993: Commission on the Truth Delivers Findings; Amnesty Law Passed

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 in 1993, the Salvadoran legislature passed an amnesty law for all acts of violence during the period.

July 1995: Value-added tax (IVA) raised

In July 1995, El Salvador's value-added tax (IVA in Spanish) was raised to 13%.

1996: GDP Growth

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

1997: Government Establishes Ministry of the Environment

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.

1999: General Environmental Framework Law Approved

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

2000: Exports grow

From 2000 to 2006 El Salvador's total exports have grown 19% from $2.94 billion to $3.51 billion.

January 2001: El Salvador Adopts the United States Dollar

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

January 2001: Earthquake Causes Landslide and Deaths

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

February 2001: Earthquake Kills and Damages Housing

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

2001: United States Dollar Replaces Colón

In 2001, the United States dollar replaced the colón as the currency of El Salvador.

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 Outside El Salvador in 2004

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

2004: Homicide Rate in 2004

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

2004: 2004 presidential election

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

2004: Temporary Success of Super Mano Dura in 2004

In 2004, the "Super Mano Dura" gang reform program experienced temporary success.

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: End of ARENA's Presidential Winning Streak

Until 2004, Salvadorans favoured the Nationalist Republican Alliance (ARENA), voting in ARENA presidents in every election, with the streak ending in 2009.

October 2005: Santa Ana Volcano Erupts

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

2005: Rise in Crime After 2005

After 2005, there was a rise in crime following the initial success of "Super Mano Dura".

2005: Gang Crisis Epicenter in 2005

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 expiration of the Multi Fibre Arrangement resulted in Asian competition for El Salvador's apparel sector.

2006: Exports grow

From 2000 to 2006 El Salvador's total exports have grown 19% from $2.94 billion to $3.51 billion.

2006: Gay marriage proposals rejected

In 2006 proposals for gay marriage were legally rejected in El Salvador.

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.

2006: Remittances represent 16.2% of GDP

In 2006, remittances from Salvadorans living in the United States amounted to $3.32 billion, representing approximately 16.2% of El Salvador's GDP.

2007: GDP's real growth rate

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

2008: Salvadorans in the United States

By 2008, Salvadorans were the sixth-largest immigrant group in the United States, with nearly one million having emigrated since 1980.

2008: International arbitration sought

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 of the FMLN Wins Election

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

March 2009: Mauricio Funes Elected President

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

June 2009: Mauricio Funes Inaugurated

On June 1, 2009, Mauricio Funes was inaugurated as president, with his government focusing on revealing alleged corruption from the past.

December 2009: Saca Expelled from ARENA, Forms GANA

In December 2009, ARENA formally expelled Saca from the party. He then 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 again

In 2009 proposals for gay marriage were legally rejected again in El Salvador.

2009: Electricity prices damaging private sector profitability

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, including the interests of American investors in the energy sector.

2009: Corruption under Saca administration

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: Metallic mining

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

2010: Age Distribution of Population in 2010

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

2010: Agriculture represents 11.2% of GDP

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

2011: PDC and PCN Disbanded

In 2011, the PDC and 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 to El Salvador

In April 2012, the International Monetary Fund 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. in 2012

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 in 2012

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

2012: Increased Homicide Rate in 2012

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

2013: Survey shows intolerance towards homosexuality

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

2013: Increase of FDI

In 2013, the influx of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) increased into El Salvador, although the country still receives less FDI than other countries in Central America.

2013: Tourism supported 80,500 jobs

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

March 2014: Cerén Wins Election

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

May 2014: Cerén Sworn in as President

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

December 2014: Settlement Reached

In December 2014, El Salvador and Enel Green Power reached a settlement regarding their dispute over a geothermal project, though the details of the agreement were not released.

2014: Corruption Perceptions Index ranking

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

2014: Number of tourists in El Salvador

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

2014: World Bank rating

Subsequent policies under Funes administrations improved El Salvador to foreign investment, and the World Bank in 2014 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: Funes's Leadership Ends

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: Increased 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: Metallic mining

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

2015: Homicides Recorded in 2015

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

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 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 pleading guilty to diverting more than US$300 million in state funds.

October 2018: Canonization of Óscar Romero

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

2018: Forest Landscape Integrity Index Score

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 transmission of TV/radio networks

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

2018: Homicides Recorded in 2018

In 2018, there were 3,340 recorded deaths in El Salvador.

February 2019: Nayib Bukele Wins Presidential Election

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

June 2019: Bukele Becomes President, Homicide Rate Drops

After Bukele became president in June 2019, the homicide rate in El Salvador dropped significantly.

June 2019: Nayib Bukele Becomes President

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

2019: El Salvador's Income Inequality

As of 2019, Salvadoran economics gifted them the lowest level of income inequality out of nearby countries.

2019: Global Innovation Index Ranking in 2019

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

2019: Tourism contributed US$2970.1 million to El Salvador's GDP

In 2019 El Salvador leads the region in remittances per capita, Tourism contributed US$2970.1 million to El Salvador's GDP , 2.35 million Salvadorans lived in the U.S. and about a third of all households received remittances

2019: Decline in Murder Rate in 2019

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

2019: Bukele Wins Election, Breaking Two-Party Dominance

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

2019: Homicides Recorded in 2019

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

2019: Tourism's Contribution to GDP

In 2019, tourism contributed US$2970.1 million to El Salvador's GDP. This represented 11% of total GDP.

2019: Beginning of Homicide Reduction Claim

President Bukele's claim of a year without homicides was measured from 2019.

June 2020: Inauguration of Hospital El Salvador

In June 2020, the government inaugurated Hospital El Salvador, converting the country's main convention center into what was intended to be the largest hospital in Latin America in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The president announced the permanent conversion of the facility.

2020: Report on Homicide Rate Reduction

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

2020: Homicides Recorded in 2020

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

2020: Testing of 5G coverage began

Testing of 5G coverage began in El Salvador in 2020.

January 2021: Energy injections by source

According to the National Energy Commission, 94.4% of total energy 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 Congressional Majority

In February 2021, the results of the 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.

February 2021: Nuevas Ideas Wins Legislative Elections

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

February 2021: El Salvador Certified for Malaria Elimination

On February 25, 2021, El Salvador became the first Central American country to be awarded certification for the elimination of malaria by the WHO.

June 2021: President Bukele introduces 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 Legal Tender Legislation

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

September 2021: Bukele Allowed to Run for 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 September 7, 2021, Bitcoin officially became a legal tender in El Salvador. The law allows foreigners to gain permanent residence by investing 3 Bitcoin into the country.

September 2021: Bitcoin mining using geothermal energy

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.

2021: GDP Growth

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

2021: El Salvador's Population in 2021

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

2021: El Salvador's Economic Complexity

In 2021, a study indicated that El Salvador had one of the least complex economies for doing business among 77 countries.

2021: Lowest Number of Murders Since Civil War in 2021

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

January 2022: IMF Urges Reversal of Bitcoin Decision, Plans for Bitcoin City Announced

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

March 2022: Bitcoin usage among merchants

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

March 2022: Gang-Related Violence and State of Emergency in March 2022

Beginning on 25 March 2022, three days of gang-related violence occurred, resulting in 87 deaths. President Bukele requested the Salvadoran parliament to ratify a state of emergency on 26 March, and ordered mass arrests.

May 2022: Government Bonds Trading Low

As of May 2022, government bonds were trading at 40% of their original value, indicating the 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

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

2022: Government Initiates Crackdown on Gangs

In 2022, the Salvadoran government initiated a massive fight against criminal gangs and gang-related violence, declaring a state of emergency and arresting thousands.

May 2023: Bukele's Announcement in May 2023

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

August 2023: Crackdown on Gangs in August 2023

As of August 2023, around 72,000 suspected gang members have been sent to prison as part of the government crackdown on 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 so that they could focus on their 2024 re-election campaign.

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 Comparsion

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

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

February 2024: Bukele Wins Re-election

On 4 February 2024, Bukele won re-election with 84% of the vote in the presidential election.

May 2024: Bitcoin holdings and mining

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 additional Bitcoin

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 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: El Salvador's Population Estimated

In 2024, El Salvador's population was estimated to be 6 million.

2024: Bukele Allowed to Run for 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.

2024: Global Hunger Index Ranking in 2024

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

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 so that they could focus on their 2024 re-election campaign.

February 2025: El Salvador has the highest prisoner rate worldwide

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

February 2025: El Salvador’s Congress Agrees 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 more than 200 immigrants, alleging them to be members of a Venezuelan gang, to be imprisoned in El Salvador in violation of court orders at El Salvador’s Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) mega-prison, which is considered the largest prison in the Americas.

April 2025: Bitcoin Value Increase

As of April 2025, bitcoin's value has doubled since El Salvador first designated it as legal tender.

July 2025: Legislative Assembly Approved Changes to the Constitution of El Salvador

In late-July 2025, the Legislative Assembly approved of changes to the Constitution of El Salvador, which would remove presidential term-limits, and extend individual terms from 5 years to 6.

2025: Global Innovation Index Ranking in 2025

El Salvador was ranked 98th in the Global Innovation Index in 2025.

2027: Legislative Assembly Moved the Next Presidential Election

In late-July 2025, the Legislative Assembly also moved the next presidential election from 2029 to 2027, after which the constitutional changes would take effect.

2029: Legislative Assembly Moved the Next Presidential Election

In late-July 2025, the Legislative Assembly also moved the next presidential election from 2029 to 2027, after which the constitutional changes would take effect.