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El Salvador went from being world's most dangerous country to among safest: President

El Salvador’s president addressed the UN General Assembly in a speech in which he highlighted that his country went from being known as the most dangerous place in the world “to being on its way to becoming the safest country in the Americas,” the Anadolu Agency reported.
Earlier in July, a survey said that 90% of the Salvadorans expressed not having been victims of crime.
The results of the security plans implemented by the president, Nayib Bukele, to combat gangs and other criminal structures have meant that El Salvador is positioned as the best evaluated among 12 Latin American countries, surpassing nations such as Costa Rica, Mexico, and Colombia.
Nayib Bukele said in his speech that those who knew the country before, “knew it for the gangs, for the deaths, for the violence, for the war.”
“We went from that to being a country known for its beaches, for its volcanoes, for its financial freedom, for its good government and for having put an end to organized crime,” Bukele said in his speech, which he delivered in front of his 3-year-old daughter and wife, who accompanied him to the diplomatic event held in New York City.

In recent decades, the history of El Salvador has been marked by gang violence, with the country suffering from one of the highest homicide and crime rates in the world.
But since Bukele came to power, El Salvador implements strong security measures endorsed by the Constitution, such as the emergency regime that after four months has allowed the imprisonment of more than 47,000 gang members who were the ones who caused anxiety and insecurity in neighborhoods and communities and who could now face at least 20 years in prison just for being gang members.
6,000 gang members arrested in first nine days of a state of emergency in El Salvador
The move has drawn alarm from rights groups, who see the measure as an opportunity for Bukele's government to curb individual liberties.
In his speech, Bukele also asked powerful countries not to "get in the way" if they do not want to help El Salvador achieve the freedom it is still struggling to obtain.
If backed, El Salvador would be first in the world to formally adopt Bitcoin
He also said that in his opinion, the format of the UN General Assembly is "obsolete."
"I came here to stand on this podium in a format in which I no longer believe, to say something that most likely will not change the way in which powerful countries see the others," he said in his 18-minute speech.
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BENEFIT AGM approves 10%...
- March 27, 2025
BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).
Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.
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