El Salvador Backs Bukele’s Security Moves, Not His Bitcoin Plan

The post El Salvador Backs Bukele’s Security Moves, Not His Bitcoin Plan appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele continues to enjoy massive public support, despite his Bitcoin push not gaining the same enthusiasm. A new survey published by La Prensa Gráfica shows Bukele’s approval rating at 91.9%, highlighting just how popular he remains across the country.

Out of 1,200 people surveyed, nearly two-thirds said they strongly approve of his performance, while only 1.8% said they strongly disapprove. Bukele reacted in his usual sarcastic tone on social media, joking about how small the opposition has become.

The results suggest that his popularity is not tied to his crypto policies.

Security Improvements Drive Support

The survey shows that most of Bukele’s support comes from improvements in public safety. Since taking office in 2019, he has taken a hard stance against gangs, changing the image of a country that was once known for high crime.

A major part of this effort was the construction of the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT), a large prison built to hold suspected gang members. Homicide rates have dropped sharply compared to previous years, and many citizens say daily life has become safer.

For many people, these security gains matter far more than economic or technology-related policies.

Bitcoin has a limited public impact

El Salvador made history in 2021 by adopting Bitcoin as legal tender, but the survey suggests the issue is not a major concern for most citizens. Only 2.2% of respondents described Bitcoin as Bukele’s biggest failure, and the topic barely appeared in most answers.

This shows that, despite government efforts to promote Bitcoin payments, everyday use remains limited. In a 2024 interview with TIME, Bukele himself admitted that Bitcoin did not achieve the level of adoption the government had expected.

The policy has also faced criticism from the International Monetary Fund, which warned about possible financial risks.

Government Still Adding Bitcoin

Even with limited public interest and pressure from international institutions, El Salvador has not stepped back from its Bitcoin strategy. Officials say the country has continued buying one Bitcoin per day since 2022, a plan Bukele has promised to maintain.

Online trackers connected to the country’s Bitcoin Office show that national holdings are still increasing, even after El Salvador agreed to scale back some crypto-related programs as part of a $1.4 billion IMF deal.

For now, Bukele’s strong approval ratings give him enough support to continue his Bitcoin policy, whether or not most citizens are actively using it.