Breaking the Democratic Fabric: Assessing the Impact of Gang Violence in EL Salvador

El Salvador's democracy has historically struggled with two main issues: corruption and gang violence. President Nayib Bukeles election in 2019 ushered in what many Salvadorans believed would be a new political era, eliminating those concerns and strengthening democracy. This research explores how Bukele manipulated gang violence through collaboration with them to expand his power and thus initiate democratic backsliding in the country. It first uses qualitative research methods to examine the history of gangs and gang violence in El Salvador and its previous impact on the country's democracy. It then employs the comparative analysis method to assess Bukeles' current gang control tactics and the evolution of traditional street gangs. This research finds that Bukeles' practices suggest multiple indicators of democratic backsliding in El Salvador. The study highlights the causes for concern among the international community about the spread of Bukeles' influence, specifically in other Latin American countries and the United States, and makes recommendations for the international community to help ensure democracy thrives in El Salvador.