El Salvador has experienced a remarkable transformation. What had once been one of the most violent countries in the world has become incredibly safe.

Natalie Kitroeff, the New York Times bureau chief for Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, discusses the cost of that transformation to the people of El Salvador, and the man at the center of it, the newly re-elected President Nayib Bukele.

Guest: Natalie Kitroeff, the New York Times bureau chief for Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean.

Background reading: 

• salvador-gangs.html?smid=pc-thedaily">El Salvador Decimated Its Ruthless Gangs. But at What Cost?
• salvador-bukele-election.html?smid=pc-thedaily">He Cracked Down on Gangs and Rights. Now He’s Set to Win a Landslide.

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.