El Salvador: Challenges to Security and Stability
Overview
El Salvador faces numerous challenges that threaten its security and stability. This report highlights seven key areas where the government is struggling to maintain control and ensure the well-being of its citizens.
1. Judicial Independence
The president’s control over the judiciary has raised concerns about independence, with judges being forced to retire and the fairness of trials called into question. While this has reduced corruption, it also raises questions about the integrity of the justice system.
Key Issues:
- Judges are subject to presidential influence
- Retirement of judges may compromise impartiality
- Fairness of trials is under scrutiny
2. Law Enforcement
Organized crime groups maintain control over territories, and the police force is limited by inadequate resources and faces public trust issues due to lack of investigation and reliance on anonymous complaints.
Key Issues:
- Police force lacks necessary resources
- Anonymous complaints hinder effective investigation
- Public trust in law enforcement is low
3. Border Control
El Salvador struggles with maintaining its territorial integrity due to porous borders and limited resources to control cross-border flows of illicit goods.
Key Issues:
- Porous borders facilitate illicit activities
- Limited resources for border control
- Container control program not effective enough
4. Economic Environment
The country is at risk of money laundering and terrorist financing, and the unregulated introduction of cryptocurrencies makes it difficult to detect illicit financial flows.
Key Issues:
- Risk of money laundering and terrorism funding
- Unregulated cryptocurrency use hinders detection
- Illicit financial flows are a concern
5. Civil Society and Social Protection
The government fails to adequately support victims of organized crime, particularly women, children, and LGBT+ victims of human trafficking.
Key Issues:
- Government lacks resources for victim support
- Civil society actors fill the gap due to lack of government support
- Victims of human trafficking are at risk
6. Media Freedom and Safety
Journalists have been physically attacked or killed, and legislation provides little protection for them.
Key Issues:
- Journalists face physical harm and threats
- Legislation does not adequately protect journalists
- Official harassment is common
7. Human Rights Concerns
The country has seen a significant decline in media freedom, raising concerns about the safety of journalists and civil society organizations.
Key Issues:
- Steep decline in media freedom
- Journalists and civil society at risk
- Human rights concerns are widespread