I've been in ES for nine months now and at least 9 out of 10 Salvadorans are happy to very happy with what Bukele has done, to the extent that they want him to stay on and continue for another term. Some are more critical or reserved. Almost all of those I talk to also think the new-found safety, freedom and happiness will continue after Bukele does step down one day, because the people have had a taste of it and won't accept reversion to before. I'm somewhat less sure.
A few of my own concerns are:
  • when will Bukele drop the state of urgency giving him/the government extraordinary powers
  • idem for Bukele following the constitution regarding term limits
  • what will happen in the country when he does step down one day
  • will the US / CIA foment regime change or revolution or break out the gangs at some point
In the meantime, the country feels more safe than the US at the moment and the economy and investment (including foreign) seem to be benefitting. The price of land and real estate have been going up (and are often overpriced) due to some wanting to cash out while foreigners want to buy. Am starting to see resentment toward people coming and buying at these prices, like what happens everywhere during gentrification. Other people are investing and developing businesses and real estate for the longer term.
Increased Bitcoin adoption will take time, education and understanding. Adoption happens one-by-one over time. Bitcoin decreed top-down by the government made it uncool and people are naturally suspicious of initiatives like that. The often poor image people have of bitcoin's proponents (annoying / nerds / arrogant / incels / weird) does not help. It's trendy for wannabe cool locals, American tourists, and instagrammers to say bitcoin is lame or sketchy, and it's widely seen as a flop.
I've found that reframing Bitcoin as a rebellion -- against the US dollar being a tool of oppression against the people in this dollarized region of the world -- to work. People nod their heads at the dollar being empire/war/blood money, and then at bitcoin as a way to opt out of that and fight the system and the higher prices / inflation exported from the US / the FED. Combined with explaining the halving cycles and where we are now, as basic greed is the initial way that people onboard to it. You want to get people started with it during the bear market, not the bull market.
We will see.
I've found that reframing Bitcoin as a rebellion -- against the US dollar being a tool of oppression against the people in this dollarized region of the world -- to work.
Well, I noticed Salvadorean love US, love dollars, love the obsolete American dream that still being in the minds/plans of many (on average 16 people per day still leaving ES to illegally cross borders and reach the US, reach more opportunities).
I'm glad to hear that you tested Bitcoin as a Rebellion and got good results/feedback... congrats! Maybe things are changing, and less Salvadorean will start building on top their own country, literally is like a blank page for anyone living there these days.
BTW: SN post #1 was about him
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He should never drop anything.
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at the very least it's cool to see Bitcoin getting the ball rolling for the country, and that the people are noticing it
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