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El Salvador's Bukele Faces Scrutiny Amid Gang Links

5/5/2025

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Summary

Story summary

El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele is under fire as gang leader Carlos Cartagena López, known as Charli de IVU, exposes connections between organized crime and Bukele's ascent. While crime rates have plummeted, the mass imprisonment of thousands under dire conditions has sparked outrage over human rights violations and possible corruption tied to U.S. deportation deals.

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Story summary

El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele is under fire as gang leader Carlos Cartagena López, known as Charli de IVU, exposes connections between organized crime and Bukele's ascent. While crime rates have plummeted, the mass imprisonment of thousands under dire conditions has sparked outrage over human rights violations and possible corruption tied to U.S. deportation deals.