Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, known for his tough stance against street gangs, has shifted his focus to tackling price gouging using aggressive tactics similar to those employed against criminal organizations.

Since assuming office in 2019, Bukele's administration has conducted sweeping arrests of tens of thousands of suspected gang members, often amid controversy and with highly publicized displays of their detention in newly constructed prisons.

In a recent address, Bukele drew a direct comparison between his approach to gangs and his new initiative targeting economic offenders. "I am issuing a call, just like we did with gangs at the beginning of 2019," he declared. "We told them either stop killing people, or don’t complain about what happens afterward."

Addressing importers, distributors, and food wholesalers, Bukele accused them of significantly hiking prices on essential goods to levels deemed unacceptable. "Stop exploiting the people of El Salvador," he sternly warned, "or face the consequences."

Emphasizing the gravity of his message, Bukele clarified that his warnings were serious and not mere rhetoric. "We are not playing around," he insisted, demanding immediate corrective action from businesses. "I expect prices to come down by tomorrow or there will be consequences."

Despite his firm stance, Bukele's emergency powers, primarily aimed at combating gang violence, likely do not encompass imposing criminal penalties for economic offenses. However, he indicated that alleged activities such as tax evasion, bribery, and smuggling could result in criminal charges and imprisonment.

The Salvadoran government has highlighted instances where prices of goods reportedly tripled, prompting calls for fines and the establishment of 20 government-run sales points to distribute items at regulated prices.

Bukele's recent actions align with his portrayal as a decisive leader willing to take bold steps. He has previously referred to himself as the "world's coolest dictator," a label that underscores his unconventional approach to governance.

Beyond his anti-gang efforts, which have significantly reduced crime rates in El Salvador, Bukele's methods have drawn criticism from human rights organizations. Critics argue that the broad arrests, often based on arbitrary criteria like appearance or residence, have led to the release of thousands due to insufficient evidence.

Despite controversies, Bukele remains popular among Salvadorans for his resolute stance against crime and efforts to transform a nation once plagued by violence into a safer place. His latest move against price gouging reflects his commitment to addressing issues affecting ordinary Salvadorans, though it also sparks concerns about the extent of executive power and its potential impact on civil liberties.