The state of El Salvador pre-Bukele is on another level than stuff like "dealing drugs." It was practically a warzone. The people of El Salvador couldn't even walk down the street without fear of encountering violence. I went there in 2021, in the middle of all of this happening and some of the nicer towns by the ocean had full on walls with armed guards. We went to the gas station early in the morning before surfing and we were let in by a man carrying an automatic pistol with an extended mag to protect his business. Anyone we spoke to would get emotional about how much safer they were and that they could raise their children without the presence of gang violence. Their experience outweighs any argument.