The Hated and the Dead Podcast: Nayib Bukele

In February 2024, shortly after Nayib Bukele won reelection, I had the opportunity to discuss his tenure on "The Hated and the Dead" podcast.

Since his election in 2019, Bukele has implemented aggressive security measures, resulting in the arrest of over 1% of El Salvador's population. This approach has transformed our nation from having the world's highest murder rate to now possessing the highest incarceration rate, often accompanied by abuses of power, such as arbitrary arrest and loss of due process guarantees.

While these policies have significantly reduced crime, they raise complex moral questions about the balance between public safety and individual freedoms. Many Salvadorans are grappling with the extent of civil liberties they're willing to forfeit in exchange for security.​

Economically, challenges persist. The government has invested minimally in social services, focusing instead on projects like the gentrification of our coastline and the adoption of Bitcoin as legal tender. This strategy suggests a social contract where citizens relinquish certain freedoms for crime reduction, yet receive limited support in economic development.

Our discussion delved into these issues, examining the societal trade-offs and the broader implications of Bukele's policies on democracy and human rights in El Salvador.