El Salvador's state of exception, initiated two years ago, has led to increased security but also numerous human rights violations. President Nayib Bukele proposes exporting this model to Haiti, a country plagued by gang violence and political instability. Experts argue that the differing social and political conditions make this unfeasible. The UN and international community remain skeptical, emphasizing the need for sustainable and democratic solutions. The article highlights the complexities and potential consequences of applying Bukele's security measures in a different context.

Real estate prices in El Salvador have surged following significant improvements in security under President Nayib Bukele's administration. The dismantling of gangs has led to a tourism boom and increased foreign investment, particularly in coastal areas like La Libertad. However, the rising property prices are becoming unaffordable for many Salvadorans, leading to concerns about a potential real estate bubble. The government, while acknowledging the issue, has no plans for price controls, instead advocating for increased housing supply. The situation highlights the tension between economic opportunity and accessibility to housing for local residents.

Extrajudicial executions have persisted in El Salvador despite the state of emergency imposed in March 2022, which aimed to dismantle gang operations. The Procuraduría para la Defensa de los Derechos Humanos in El Salvador reported 25 cases of extrajudicial killings between May 2022 and April 2023. These acts of violence are not new, having gained notoriety five years ago when state agents were found to be killing gang members. The police have been the main institution behind these illegal executions, with a report revealing 48 cases with 116 victims between 2014 and 2018. Despite a significant reduction in the homicide rate to 2.4 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2023, these figures do not account for violent deaths involving police or military confrontations, prison violence, or discovered remains. President Nayib Bukele has authorized the police to use lethal force in self-defense since 2020, and the state has taken a repressive stance against gangs.

Nuevas Ideas, the ruling party in El Salvador, will govern 26 out of 44 municipalities, representing 59% of the total, a decrease from the 84% support during Nayib Bukele's presidential campaign. Allies of the ruling party, including GANA, PDC, PCN, and CD, will govern additional municipalities. ARENA, not considered an ally by Bukele, secured one municipality under Milagro Navas. The FMLN and other parties like Vamos and Nuestro Tiempo did not win any municipalities. These results are based on 79.1% of processed records as of March 5.

On January 31, 2024, Hilda González Klusmann made history by becoming the first woman to command a significant detachment of the Guatemalan Armed Forces, specifically the Regional Command for Peacekeeping Operations Training (Creompaz). This appointment, ordered by President Bernardo Arévalo, breaks with the military tradition of only naming men to key positions. Klusmann, a 53-year-old colonel, has a distinguished military career, including international experience as a United Nations military observer. Her leadership is expected to pave the way for greater gender equity in the Guatemalan military. Klusmann emphasizes that military leadership should be based on capability rather than gender and believes that women bring diverse perspectives and skills to the army.

El Salvador faces a shortage of vegetables and legumes due to political tensions in Guatemala causing roadblocks and the country's reliance on food imports. Experts criticize El Salvador's economic policies that favor services and importation over local agriculture. The government is seeking alternative suppliers from Honduras and Nicaragua, but experts argue for promoting local agricultural policies and supporting farmers to meet national demand.

Human rights organizations in El Salvador report the arrest of 26 activists and defenders under the state of exception policy. Cristosal's investigation highlights violations of rights to participation, expression, and association. María Verónica Delgado, a mother searching for her missing daughter, was detained, sparking condemnation from civil groups and Amnesty International. Environmentalists from Ades face charges linked to the civil war, seen as a move to reverse the mining ban. Former police officer Marvin Reyes alleges persecution for exposing corruption. The article underscores the adverse impact of Bukele's policies on civil society and human rights.

The Israeli Ambassador to Guatemala and El Salvador discussed with VOA the consular support being offered to Israelis seeking to return to their country amid the Israel-Hamás conflict.

Around 4,000 military and police personnel in El Salvador established a new security perimeter in three urban communities of San Salvador following the murder of a seven-year-old girl. President Nayib Bukele announced the intervention in Popotlán, Valle Verde, and La Campanera, emphasizing the government's commitment to capturing remaining gang members. The security measure follows the discovery of the girl's body in La Campanera, a known gang refuge. Authorities have arrested three suspects, including the girl's mother. El Salvador has been under a state of emergency for 19 months to combat gang violence, resulting in the detention of approximately 72,000 individuals.

The article examines the claim by Douglas Rodríguez, president of the Banco Central de Reserva de El Salvador, that prices in El Salvador have changed due to a decrease in inflation. While the general inflation rate has indeed decreased from 7% in January to 3.1% in August, experts argue that this does not necessarily mean prices have stopped rising. Economists Tatiana Marroquín and Rafael Lemus highlight that while the rate of inflation has slowed, prices for certain goods, like food, continue to rise, affecting the cost of living. The article suggests that a detailed analysis of individual product prices is necessary to understand the true impact on consumers.