The Story

El Salvador: The rise of the ‘world’s coolest dictator’

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Episode notes

Not long ago, the tiny nation of El Salvador had the highest murder rate in the world. Now, it has the highest incarceration rate. President Nayib Bukele – who has described himself as “the world’s coolest dictator” – has detained 70,000 gang suspects without trial. His supporters point to the homicide rate, which is down 93 per cent. But Bukele’s critics warn that his hardline policies risk sacrificing democracy for security. 

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Guest: Stephen Gibbs, Latin America Correspondent, The Times. 

Host: Luke Jones. 

Clips: NBC, CBS, Channel 4, Sky News Australia, ITV, Al Jazeera, CFR Education.

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