States of Exception and Bukele’s 'Mano Dura' Approach to Tackling Crime

Spotlight on security issues in Latin America. By Prof Nicolas Forsans

Security is a major issue in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), where the region has some of the highest rates of homicide in the world. To combat it, an increasing number of governments are resorting to extraordinary measures, suspending civil rights in an effort to regain control. With states of exception on the rise, from El Salvador’s relentless ‘mano dura’ crackdown to new declarations in Ecuador, Honduras, and Chile, these policies promise public safety but risk eroding the region's democratic foundations. Can such drastic measures genuinely reduce crime and ensure stability? And, more importantly, do they bring lasting peace—or simply serve as tools of control?

In this article, we explore the growing prevalence of these policies, their effectiveness, why Bukele’s approach worked where it failed elsewhere, and the heavy price often paid in the process.