I was there recently (September). El Salvador is safe for regular people for the first time in decades.
They were in civil war for years and, shockingly, the UN managed to patch together a resolution after both sides were basically worn out. But then the gangs took over and made life miserable and dangerous for everyone.
The only people upset about the changes Bukele made seem to be the usual suspects on the Left that are butthurt they can't siphon cash off the supposed solutions that never seem to do anything but employ Progressive meddlers.
We didn't see much bitcoin use among the normal population, although TBF, we weren't at the touristy areas that are more bitcoin-focused.
Interestingly, the locals use USD coins very frequently. Like the Susan B Anthony, and a bunch of others I had never seen before. We first thought they were some sort of counterfeit or game token. And they seem to hate change. Most things are rounded to a dollar or 25cents so you don't need anything smaller than a quarter. Plus, outside of retail, the government stays out and doesn't bother to enforce sales taxes, so rounding is easy. I've been told the government basically keeps it's nose out of small businesses.
What's sort of fascinating is that there's this almost underground distribution network. We only saw pieces, but the Tiendas are supplied by runners on motorcycles or bicycles. It's this vast network of local micro-scale suppliers moving products to micro-scale stores. Very resilent, flexible and functional without any mega-corps or government regulations. Reminded me of the US a century ago.
It's probably the biggest barrier. You can get through the airport on arrival with just English, but beyond that, most people speak only Spanish unless you go to very tourist-focused places or expat enclaves.
For us, those are areas we don't find particularly interesting or desireable so getting conversational is a goal for us. We live in a rural area in the US and plan on living in a rural area there. It'll be hard enough as gringos, but almost impossible without being able to speak the langauge.
Plus most of the North American expats are damned annoying. I can see why the locals tend to despise them in just about every country.
Hmmm..... blueprint for other countries? The article is worth the read but here's a taste:
"Following his first inauguration, Bukele immediately launched a nationwide campaign against El Salvador’s notorious gang-fueled violence, which featured high-profile battles with the federal legislature, the National Assembly, and the courts.
Bukele’s party controversially replaced the entirety of the Supreme Court in 2021 and the nation’s attorney general and expanded the executive’s power through a “state of exception” decree in March 2022 that restricted some constitutional rights in exchange for expanding police authority to apprehend gang suspects. It also allowed Bukele to build “mega-prisons” for tens of thousands of gang members, facilitating their removal from the streets."
I was there recently (September). El Salvador is safe for regular people for the first time in decades.
They were in civil war for years and, shockingly, the UN managed to patch together a resolution after both sides were basically worn out. But then the gangs took over and made life miserable and dangerous for everyone.
The only people upset about the changes Bukele made seem to be the usual suspects on the Left that are butthurt they can't siphon cash off the supposed solutions that never seem to do anything but employ Progressive meddlers.
Yes. Plus using bitcoin as the money standard. The country is rapidly becoming a shinning beacon of hope to south American countries.
We didn't see much bitcoin use among the normal population, although TBF, we weren't at the touristy areas that are more bitcoin-focused.
Interestingly, the locals use USD coins very frequently. Like the Susan B Anthony, and a bunch of others I had never seen before. We first thought they were some sort of counterfeit or game token. And they seem to hate change. Most things are rounded to a dollar or 25cents so you don't need anything smaller than a quarter. Plus, outside of retail, the government stays out and doesn't bother to enforce sales taxes, so rounding is easy. I've been told the government basically keeps it's nose out of small businesses.
What's sort of fascinating is that there's this almost underground distribution network. We only saw pieces, but the Tiendas are supplied by runners on motorcycles or bicycles. It's this vast network of local micro-scale suppliers moving products to micro-scale stores. Very resilent, flexible and functional without any mega-corps or government regulations. Reminded me of the US a century ago.
Could you see yourself living there?
Definitely, but we already have friends there which makes it easier for us.
And you probably speak the language which helps.
Not yet, but working on it.
It's probably the biggest barrier. You can get through the airport on arrival with just English, but beyond that, most people speak only Spanish unless you go to very tourist-focused places or expat enclaves.
For us, those are areas we don't find particularly interesting or desireable so getting conversational is a goal for us. We live in a rural area in the US and plan on living in a rural area there. It'll be hard enough as gringos, but almost impossible without being able to speak the langauge.
Plus most of the North American expats are damned annoying. I can see why the locals tend to despise them in just about every country.
What makes the expats so annoying?
On the one hand, I am always wary of "one party rule" type situations.
On the other hand, we also need uncompromising Strong Men to handle these messes, and it sounds like Bukele has been nothing but good for El Salvador.
I hope this works out for the best, in a "El Salvador Sneezes and the World Catches the Cold" way.
Our 2 party system seems like a lie as we have seen the rinos stab us in the back every time.
I really don't know what the answer is but, El Salvador seems to be an immerging example of something different that just might work.
I don't know the answer either, but I'm learning that in most cases, beta male problems require alpha male solutions.
Like hard times make strong men, and good times make weak men?
Si, senor. :D
🐸
Hmmm..... blueprint for other countries? The article is worth the read but here's a taste:
"Following his first inauguration, Bukele immediately launched a nationwide campaign against El Salvador’s notorious gang-fueled violence, which featured high-profile battles with the federal legislature, the National Assembly, and the courts.
Bukele’s party controversially replaced the entirety of the Supreme Court in 2021 and the nation’s attorney general and expanded the executive’s power through a “state of exception” decree in March 2022 that restricted some constitutional rights in exchange for expanding police authority to apprehend gang suspects. It also allowed Bukele to build “mega-prisons” for tens of thousands of gang members, facilitating their removal from the streets."