Latin America's Crime Surge Sparks Far-right Resurgence

WHO:

ABC News World - Progressive politicians gained power in Latin America at the start of the decade.

WHAT:

ABC News World - A far-right backlash is surging in Latin America due to rising crime fears.

ABC News World - Bukele-style crackdowns are being implemented in response to the crime surge.

WHERE:

ABC News World - Latin America is the region experiencing the crime surge and subsequent political backlash.

WHY:

ABC News World - The backlash is fueled by public outrage over inequities worsened by the pandemic.

HOW:

ABC News World - The methods of response include crackdowns similar to those employed by leaders like President Bukele.

(UPDATED June 17, 2026 14:17 UTC)

Progressive politicians initially gained power in Latin America at the start of the decade, but now a far-right backlash is surging in response to rising crime fears in the region. This backlash is fueled by public outrage over inequities that have worsened since the pandemic, leading to the implementation of Bukele-style crackdowns as a method of response. As crime continues to escalate, leaders are adopting these aggressive strategies to address the growing concerns among their constituents.