Why El Salvador’s ‘mega’ prisons are making the world safer

New York Post - Apr 19th, 2025
Open on New York Post

The recent meeting between President Trump and El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele was intended to strengthen US relations with Latin America and acknowledge El Salvador's positive leadership under Bukele. Instead, it became a contentious political issue, as leading Democrats and media critics focused on criticizing Trump's deportation policies. The debate centered on the deportation of illegal immigrants with criminal records, notably Kilmar Abrego Garcia, whose gang affiliations were highlighted. Democrats accused Trump of hypocrisy and endangering human rights, though they faced backlash for ignoring victims of criminal migrants.

The controversy overshadowed significant achievements in El Salvador under Bukele, including a drastic reduction in crime and improved prison conditions at CECOT. Once plagued by violence, El Salvador has seen a dramatic transformation, becoming one of the safest countries in the Western Hemisphere. Bukele's policies have also contributed to stabilizing migration issues, supporting US efforts against regional criminal groups. However, media and political distractions have diverted attention from these successes, missing an opportunity to reinforce strategic cooperation between the US and its Latin American allies.

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RATING

4.2
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article presents a narrative focused on the positive aspects of President Bukele's policies and the shortcomings of his opponents, particularly Democratic politicians and media outlets. While it addresses timely and relevant issues, such as US immigration policy and international relations, the lack of balanced perspectives and comprehensive evidence limits its overall quality. The reliance on a single perspective from the Heritage Foundation and the absence of credible sources or data undermine its credibility. Despite its clear language and logical structure, the partisan tone and lack of transparency hinder its ability to provide a nuanced and objective analysis. The article has the potential to engage readers who share its viewpoint, but its impact on a broader audience may be limited due to its one-sided portrayal of the issues at hand.

RATING DETAILS

5
Accuracy

The story contains several factual claims that require verification, such as the details of the meeting between President Trump and President Bukele, and the portrayal of Kilmar Abrego Garcia's criminal background. While some claims, like the reduction in violence in El Salvador under Bukele, are supported by external sources, others, such as the political motivations of the Democrats or the exact conditions of the CECOT prison, need further evidence. The article presents a mix of verifiable facts and subjective interpretations, making it partially accurate but lacking in comprehensive evidence for all assertions.

4
Balance

The article heavily leans towards a pro-Trump and pro-Bukele perspective, often criticizing Democratic politicians and media outlets without providing a balanced view of their arguments. It portrays Democrats as hypocritical and unserious about safety and engagement with Latin America, while largely ignoring any valid concerns they might have. The narrative is one-sided, focusing on the positive aspects of Bukele's policies and the shortcomings of his opponents, which results in an imbalanced representation of the issues at hand.

6
Clarity

The language used in the article is generally clear, and the structure is logical, with a coherent flow from one point to the next. However, the tone is decidedly partisan, which may affect the perception of neutrality and objectivity. While the article is easy to follow, the overtly political language and lack of nuance in presenting opposing viewpoints could detract from its overall clarity for readers seeking a balanced analysis.

3
Source quality

The article lacks attribution to credible sources or data to back up its claims. It does not reference any specific studies, reports, or authoritative voices that could lend credibility to its assertions. The reliance on a single perspective from the Heritage Foundation, known for its conservative stance, further limits the diversity and reliability of the sources used. This undermines the article's credibility and suggests potential bias.

3
Transparency

The article does not provide adequate context or disclose the methodology behind its claims. It fails to explain the basis for its assertions about the conditions in El Salvador or the motivations of political actors. There is no mention of potential conflicts of interest, such as the author's affiliation with the Heritage Foundation, which could impact the impartiality of the analysis. The lack of transparency makes it difficult for readers to assess the credibility of the information presented.

Sources

  1. https://www.iiss.org/online-analysis/online-analysis/2025/02/the-hidden-costs-of-mass-incarceration/
  2. https://foreignpolicy.com/2024/08/08/el-salvador-bukele-crime-homicide-prison-gangs/
  3. https://www.wola.org/analysis/mass-incarceration-and-democratic-deterioration-three-years-of-the-state-of-exception-in-el-salvador/
  4. https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/el-salvadors-offer-house-us-prisoners-illegal
  5. https://bpr.studentorg.berkeley.edu/2023/05/28/el-salvadors-new-mega-prison-and-bukeles-crackdown-on-gang-related-crime/