Once the murder capital of the world, El Salvador is now safer than the U.S.—but at what cost? A powerful homecoming story reveals the country’s dramatic transformation.
It’s hard to believe this is the same El Salvador. Not long ago, it was dubbed the murder capital of the world—a country so gripped by gang violence that many families had no choice but to flee. Today, that very country is not only safer than it has ever been, but it’s statistically safer than the United States. Wrap your head around that.
The shift has been radical, both in its method and its results. President Nayib Bukele—who unapologetically refers to himself as the “world’s coolest dictator”—has taken unprecedented steps to clean up the streets. Not everyone agrees with his approach. Human rights groups have raised red flags. Critics point to mass arrests and a state of emergency that continues to suspend constitutional rights. But the outcome is undeniable. El Salvador’s murder rate plummeted from the highest in the Americas to the lowest.
A Return 40 Years in the Making
So, what does that mean for the people? For those who left? For the ones who always dreamed of going back? That’s exactly what this powerful Yes Theory video explores. The team joins a man named Oscar Sr., who fled El Salvador in the early 1980s and built a life in the U.S. after a treacherous journey through Central America with the help of coyotes. Decades of hard work and two full-time jobs later, he’s finally retired—and finally ready to return to the country he once had to escape.
The video is filled with moments that make you pause: seeing Oscar reunite with the house where he grew up, walking down the street named after his grandfather, and soaking in the view of his homeland from a helicopter for the first time. It’s emotional without being performative. You feel the weight of his memories, see the pride in his eyes, and hear the heartbreak in his voice when he talks about saying goodbye to his mother.
The Beauty—and the Complications—of a Safer El Salvador
And it’s not just about Oscar. It’s about the people they meet along the way—locals with smiles, stories, and, yes, plenty of pupusas (a national treasure, honestly). The streets feel alive and welcoming despite the presence of military trucks and heavily armed guards. It’s a strange mix of optimism and unease.
One woman they speak to, Amelia, returned to El Salvador after years in London. She remembers the days when violence ruled the streets. Today, she walks freely, but she’s clear: while security has improved dramatically, the economy still lags behind. Children are still being exploited. Poverty remains an everyday reality.
Hope, Sacrifice, and a Country’s Second Chance
Watching Oscar Sr. take in the new El Salvador is like watching someone exhale after holding their breath for forty years. His story is proof that people can create better lives, that sacrifice still means something, and that maybe—just maybe—countries can turn things around.
No, it’s not perfect. But the “new” El Salvador is real, and if you’ve ever dismissed the idea of visiting, this story might change your mind.
Watch the full video below. It’s more than travel content—it’s humanity, history, and healing wrapped into one unforgettable return home.
