El Salvador has experienced a dramatic shift in the four years since President Nayib Bukele launched his “war on gangs.” While many Salvadorans report feeling safer with the diminished influence of powerful criminal groups like the Maras, a new climate of fear is emerging. BBC Brasil spoke with communities relieved by the reduced gang violence, but also with mothers claiming their children are unjustly imprisoned without evidence. Concerns are growing regarding due process and the suppression of dissent under Bukele’s government. Residents express fear of speaking out or criticizing the administration, indicating a trade-off between security and freedom of expression. This suggests that while the threat of gangs has lessened, it has been replaced by anxieties surrounding government overreach and potential human rights abuses. The situation presents a complex reality for Salvadorans navigating a new era of control.