Right-wing politicians in Brazil are promoting President Nayib Bukele's security strategy in El Salvador as a model for restoring order across Latin America.
The approach matters because it signals a regional shift toward hard-line security policies that prioritize mass incarceration and the suspension of certain legal protections to combat gang violence.
Bukele's campaign began with a state of exception declared in March 2022 [1]. This crackdown intensified through 2024 and continues into 2026 [1]. The strategy focused on dismantling powerful gangs such as MS-13 and Barrio 18 to restore public security and strengthen Bukele's political standing [1].
Security forces have conducted massive operations across the country. In the rural province of Cabañas, the government deployed approximately 1,000 police officers and 7,000 soldiers [4]. These efforts resulted in more than 90,000 arrests [1], a figure that represents approximately 1.5% of the total population of El Salvador [1].
The results of the crackdown include a dramatic decrease in violence. Annual homicides fell from roughly 6,000 murders to about 400 in 2023, marking a drop of approximately 93% [3]. However, the legal process accompanying these arrests has drawn scrutiny. Carlos Mendez, an analyst with InSight Crime, said the mass trials have become a hallmark of the strategy, with virtually no acquittals [5]. In fact, some reports indicate zero recorded acquittals in these mass proceedings [5].
This methodology is now influencing political discourse in other nations. Flavio Bolsonaro said they are looking at the Bukele model as a template for restoring security [3].
Political analysts suggest the trend is spreading. Maria Fernandez, a political analyst, said Bukele's hard-line approach is inspiring right-wing parties across the region [2].
“"We are looking at the Bukele model as a template for restoring security."”
The adoption of the 'Bukele model' suggests a growing appetite among Latin American electorates for authoritarian security measures over traditional due process. By linking high-visibility mass arrests to a statistical drop in homicides, Bukele has created a political blueprint that appeals to crime-weary voters, potentially shifting the region's democratic norms toward a preference for strongman governance in exchange for perceived safety.
