When you look at what’s happening in El Salvador, one thing stands out clearly: President Nayib Bukele is more popular than ever — even though his Bitcoin experiment hasn’t exactly transformed daily life for most people. 🇸🇻

A recent survey by La Prensa Gráfica shows Bukele’s approval rating hitting a record 91.9% 📊. That’s not just high — that’s dominant. Over 60% of respondents strongly approve of his leadership, and only a tiny fraction strongly disapprove.

But here’s the interesting part: this overwhelming support isn’t really about Bitcoin. 🪙

Most Salvadorans seem to credit Bukele’s popularity to one thing above all — security. His aggressive crackdown on gangs has dramatically reduced crime rates 🔒. For many families who lived for years under fear of violence, that change feels immediate and personal. Safety, for them, matters more than financial innovation.

Meanwhile, Bitcoin adoption remains relatively modest. Despite becoming legal tender in 2021, everyday usage among citizens hasn’t reached the widespread levels the government once envisioned. In fact, very few people in the survey even listed Bitcoin as a major failure. It simply doesn’t appear to be the issue driving public opinion.

At the same time, El Salvador continues accumulating Bitcoin and navigating talks with the International Monetary Fund 💼. The country secured a $1.4 billion loan, and discussions have focused on transparency and managing financial risks tied to the crypto policy. There’s even been talk about restructuring the government-backed Chivo wallet.

So the picture is nuanced.

Bukele’s popularity isn’t fueled by crypto enthusiasm — it’s fueled by a strong public perception that he restored order. Bitcoin may have put El Salvador on the global map 🌍, but for many citizens, everyday security seems to matter far more than digital currency adoption.