The Rise of Nayib Bukele

-The New Yorker Magazine-

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In June 2022, I returned to El Salvador for The New Yorker Magazine to continue documenting the impact of President Nayib Bukele’s authoritarian policies. Since Bukele declared a State of Emergency in March, police have detained more than 55,000 people. Detainees are no longer entitled to a legal defense and minors are being tried as adults. At least 70 people have died in prison, and traces of torture have been found in half of them. 

Despite this, President Bukele continues to enjoy huge support from Salvadorans.

A woman hugs her boyfriend before police officers take him into the provisional detention center El Penalito in San Salvador. Thousands of people have been arrested in El Salvador during the state of emergency.

A souvenir market in downtown San Salvador sells gifts that feature President Nayib Bukele.

(Left) Juana del Carmen Escoto at her home on Espíritu Santo Island, Usulután.

(Right) Family members of Nestor Hernández on Espíritu Santo Island, Usulután. Hernández (not pictured) is an artisanal fisherman who was arrested by police on May 13th during the country´ s state of emergency and accused of collaborating with the MS-13 gang. Relatives and members of the community deny the accusation. Left to right: Idalma de Hernández, Nehemias Hernández and Nestor Hernandez (baby).

Relatives of detainees wait in line outside of Izalco prison to leave care packages. Thousands of people have been arrested in El Salvador during the state of emergency.

Relatives mourn the death of Germán Orlando Escobar (28) in Veracruz, Cuscatlán. Escobar was arrested on May during the state of emergency and died a month later at Izalco Prison in Sonsonate. Escobar’s death certificate attributed his death to a pulmonary edema. The police accused Escobar of being a gang member and murdering several people in Veracruz, accusations his relatives and the local priest deny.

Soldiers check the bags of locals at a checkpoint at the entrance of the Distrito Italia neighborhood in San Salvador. Distrito Italia has for years suffered a large MS-13 gang presence.

Police officers take a woman from the provisional detention center El Penalito to her preliminary hearing in San Salvador.

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—- Tearsheet —-

Link of the story : https://bit.ly/3Drsyv6