Critics denounce their government as a dictatorship. But these people say they’ve never felt so free

[Dawn]

For decades, El Salvador faced dire choices: leave or face death. Once known as the "murder capital of the world," the country experienced an average of one homicide per hour in early 2016, despite having a population of only 6 million—two million fewer than New York City. Gang violence drove many Salvadorans to flee northward to the US.

However, the security situation has changed dramatically under President Nayib Bukele, whose strong grip on power has led to a significant drop in violence. This transformation has even prompted some Salvadorans who built new lives in the US to return to their homeland.

The shift in security comes at a cost. Under emergency measures, some constitutional rights, such as due process, have been suspended, resulting in a surge in incarceration and criticism from human rights organizations. CNN traveled to El Salvador to gauge public opinion on these changes.

 

[supermax_thelion1]

It's incredible to see how much has changed in El Salvador under Bukele’s leadership. The drop in violence is a huge relief for so many, but the cost to civil rights is concerning. Finding that balance between security and freedom is always tricky. It’ll be interesting to see how things unfold as more Salvadorans return home.