Date of Thesis

Spring 2025

Description

This thesis examines the historical and contemporary impact of US foreign policy on El Salvador’s security landscape. El Salvador’s gang crisis, largely driven by the deportation of gang members from the US in the 1990s, is rooted in a complex history shaped by US intervention during the Salvadoran civil war, which intensified political, social, and economic inequalities. These inequalities, along with the rise of international gangs such as La Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) and 18th Street, have contributed to El Salvador’s ongoing security challenges. This thesis demonstrates how US involvement in the Salvadoran civil war indirectly fueled the growth of gang violence, which has since overwhelmed the country’s institutions. It also analyzes the controversial responses of the Salvadoran government, particularly under President Nayib Bukele, whose "iron fist" approach, exemplified by the construction of the Centro de Confinamiento del Terrorismo (CECOT), has sparked both praise and criticism. While Bukele’s policies have led to a reduction in crime, they have also raised serious concerns about human rights abuses and the erosion of democratic principles. By investigating the US-El Salvador relationship, the evolution of gang violence, and the context of El Salvador’s security policies, this thesis offers a comprehensive understanding of how US foreign policy has shaped El Salvador’s carceral and policing systems, with important implications for the country’s future in balancing security, human rights, and democracy.

Keywords

El Salvador, MS-13, Bukele, State of Exception, CECOT, US Intervention

Access Type

Honors Thesis

Degree Type

Bachelor of Arts

Major

Comparative & Digital Humanities

First Advisor

D. Bret Leraul

Second Advisor

Karen Altendorf

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