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        {"code":"27696","sect":"EF Photo","sect_slug":"ef-photo","hits":"336","link":"https:\/\/elfaro.net\/en\/202501\/ef_photo\/27696","link_edit":"","name":"The Neighbors Shunned from San Salvador\u2019s Christmas Village","slug":"the-neighbors-shunned-from-san-salvador-rsquo-s-christmas-village","info":"The Christmas Village is the stage of the officially approved narrative about El Salvador: a happy place, full of decorative lights and prosperity. But unwelcome are those who have lived and worked in the Historic Center for decades.","mtag":"Inequality","noun":{"html":"Carlos Barrera and V\u00edctor Pe\u00f1a","data":{"carlos-barrera-and-victor-pena":{"sort":"","slug":"carlos-barrera-and-victor-pena","path":"carlos_barrera_and_victor_pena","name":"Carlos Barrera and V\u00edctor Pe\u00f1a"}}},"view":"336","pict":{"cms-image-000041346-jpg":{"feat":"0","sort":"41346","name":"cms-image-000041346.jpg","link":"https:\/\/elfaro.net\/images\/cms-image-000041346.jpg","path":"https:\/\/elfaro.net\/images\/cms-image-000041346.jpg","back":"","slug":"cms-image-000041346-jpg","text":"&lt;p&gt;Jos\u00e9 picks up coins in front of the National Library. He walks along the edges of the streets of the Historic Center to detect coins trapped under the tiles that cover the drains. He is 70 years old and is a do-it-all, \u201ca day laborer with a sickle and a paintbrush,\u201d as he calls himself. When he finds no work for the day, he collects coins with the help of two iron rods, with bent blades at the ends, which penetrate into the slots where his hands cannot fit. In about half an hour, Jos\u00e9 found coins totalling $0.52. \u201cIt was better when all those [informal vendor] shacks were here. There was more money lying around,\u201d he recounts as he battles for 20 minutes to salvage a $1 coin in front of the National Library of El Salvador. \u201cI don\u2019t always find lots of the ones I want. But I'm poor, and that's why I do this,\u201d he says amid the hustle and bustle of the installation of the ice rink and Christmas Village. Photo V\u00edctor Pe\u00f1a&lt;\/p&gt;","capt":"\u003Cp\u003EJos\u00e9 picks up coins in front of the National Library. He walks along the edges of the streets of the Historic Center to detect coins trapped under the tiles that cover the drains. He is 70 years old and is a do-it-all, \u201ca day laborer with a sickle and a paintbrush,\u201d as he calls himself. When he finds no work for the day, he collects coins with the help of two iron rods, with bent blades at the ends, which penetrate into the slots where his hands cannot fit. In about half an hour, Jos\u00e9 found coins totalling $0.52. \u201cIt was better when all those [informal vendor] shacks were here. There was more money lying around,\u201d he recounts as he battles for 20 minutes to salvage a $1 coin in front of the National Library of El Salvador. \u201cI don\u2019t always find lots of the ones I want. But I'm poor, and that's why I do this,\u201d he says amid the hustle and bustle of the installation of the ice rink and Christmas Village. Photo V\u00edctor Pe\u00f1a\u003C\/p\u003E"},"cms-image-000041347-jpg":{"feat":"0","sort":"41347","name":"cms-image-000041347.jpg","link":"https:\/\/elfaro.net\/images\/cms-image-000041347.jpg","path":"https:\/\/elfaro.net\/images\/cms-image-000041347.jpg","back":"","slug":"cms-image-000041347-jpg","text":"&lt;p&gt;\u201cI'm afraid of those men,\u201d says Vilma, \u201dthose policemen.\u201d \u201cWhy are you afraid of them?\u201d \u201dBecause they always scold me and want to hit me and throw me out of here.\u201d Vilma, 48, wanders around Plaza Libertad to collect plastic bottles with which she makes a living. Almost every afternoon she sits in front of the ruined house of former president Alfonso Qui\u00f1\u00f3nez Molina, a member of the Mel\u00e9ndez Qui\u00f1\u00f3nez dynasty, who also governed between 1913 and 1927. That space, less than a hundred meters from the Christmas Village of Plaza Libertad, today is a smelly corner where some homeless people tend to relieve themselves. Photo V\u00edctor Pe\u00f1a&lt;\/p&gt;","capt":"\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI'm afraid of those men,\u201d says Vilma, \u201dthose policemen.\u201d \u201cWhy are you afraid of them?\u201d \u201dBecause they always scold me and want to hit me and throw me out of here.\u201d Vilma, 48, wanders around Plaza Libertad to collect plastic bottles with which she makes a living. Almost every afternoon she sits in front of the ruined house of former president Alfonso Qui\u00f1\u00f3nez Molina, a member of the Mel\u00e9ndez Qui\u00f1\u00f3nez dynasty, who also governed between 1913 and 1927. That space, less than a hundred meters from the Christmas Village of Plaza Libertad, today is a smelly corner where some homeless people tend to relieve themselves. Photo V\u00edctor Pe\u00f1a\u003C\/p\u003E"},"cms-image-000041348-jpg":{"feat":"0","sort":"41348","name":"cms-image-000041348.jpg","link":"https:\/\/elfaro.net\/images\/cms-image-000041348.jpg","path":"https:\/\/elfaro.net\/images\/cms-image-000041348.jpg","back":"","slug":"cms-image-000041348-jpg","text":"&lt;p&gt;A family of vendors walks toward Plaza Zurita, on Eighth Street East, in downtown San Salvador. In the same area converge other vendors who are also fleeing from the metropolitan police (CAM), who maintain permanent operations to displace and confiscate products from informal traders who approach the revitalized blocks of the Historic Center. Among many conversations with vendors, a few phrases stand out: \u201cThose government people have gone crazy with money.\u201d \u201cAll of them will have a bad end.\u201d \u201cThey don\u2019t go hungry, they have all they need.\u201d \u201cEither they get tired or we get tired.\u201d Photo V\u00edctor Pe\u00f1a&lt;\/p&gt;","capt":"\u003Cp\u003EA family of vendors walks toward Plaza Zurita, on Eighth Street East, in downtown San Salvador. In the same area converge other vendors who are also fleeing from the metropolitan police (CAM), who maintain permanent operations to displace and confiscate products from informal traders who approach the revitalized blocks of the Historic Center. Among many conversations with vendors, a few phrases stand out: \u201cThose government people have gone crazy with money.\u201d \u201cAll of them will have a bad end.\u201d \u201cThey don\u2019t go hungry, they have all they need.\u201d \u201cEither they get tired or we get tired.\u201d Photo V\u00edctor Pe\u00f1a\u003C\/p\u003E"},"cms-image-000041349-jpg":{"feat":"0","sort":"41349","name":"cms-image-000041349.jpg","link":"https:\/\/elfaro.net\/images\/cms-image-000041349.jpg","path":"https:\/\/elfaro.net\/images\/cms-image-000041349.jpg","back":"","slug":"cms-image-000041349-jpg","text":"&lt;p&gt;Mari Santos, 55, is a street vendor of vegetables in the Historic Center. Like many others, Mari is an inhabitant of the dozens of inns that surround the renovated district. To make a living she scurries around every day, hiding from CAM agents who confiscate the sales of those who dare to approach the main plazas of the Center. \u201cRight now I'm killing time in the lottery to go up later tonight and run from the CAM. I prefer not to sell than have the product go to waste in the municipal warehouses; that's why I wait for the night because it's easier to flee,\u201d she says. Photo Carlos Barrera&lt;\/p&gt;","capt":"\u003Cp\u003EMari Santos, 55, is a street vendor of vegetables in the Historic Center. Like many others, Mari is an inhabitant of the dozens of inns that surround the renovated district. To make a living she scurries around every day, hiding from CAM agents who confiscate the sales of those who dare to approach the main plazas of the Center. \u201cRight now I'm killing time in the lottery to go up later tonight and run from the CAM. I prefer not to sell than have the product go to waste in the municipal warehouses; that's why I wait for the night because it's easier to flee,\u201d she says. Photo Carlos Barrera\u003C\/p\u003E"},"cms-image-000041350-jpg":{"feat":"0","sort":"41350","name":"cms-image-000041350.jpg","link":"https:\/\/elfaro.net\/images\/cms-image-000041350.jpg","path":"https:\/\/elfaro.net\/images\/cms-image-000041350.jpg","back":"","slug":"cms-image-000041350-jpg","text":"&lt;p&gt;Elva Mart\u00ednez, 65 years old, spends her days prostrate in a chair in front of the place where she rents a room for $70 a month. She is diabetic and a month ago suffered a fainting spell that caused a serious blow to her hip and right shoulder. Her swollen feet prevent her from going out to look for cans to sell to a junkyard. She survives by selling candy, which barely covers the cost of her room. Two months ago the manager of the inn where she lives announced that he would increase her rent by $15. Elva did not accept; it is impossible for her to pay, so she has been waiting for them to maintain the standing price or evict her. Photo Carlos Barrera&lt;\/p&gt;","capt":"\u003Cp\u003EElva Mart\u00ednez, 65 years old, spends her days prostrate in a chair in front of the place where she rents a room for $70 a month. She is diabetic and a month ago suffered a fainting spell that caused a serious blow to her hip and right shoulder. Her swollen feet prevent her from going out to look for cans to sell to a junkyard. She survives by selling candy, which barely covers the cost of her room. Two months ago the manager of the inn where she lives announced that he would increase her rent by $15. Elva did not accept; it is impossible for her to pay, so she has been waiting for them to maintain the standing price or evict her. Photo Carlos Barrera\u003C\/p\u003E"},"cms-image-000041351-jpg":{"feat":"0","sort":"41351","name":"cms-image-000041351.jpg","link":"https:\/\/elfaro.net\/images\/cms-image-000041351.jpg","path":"https:\/\/elfaro.net\/images\/cms-image-000041351.jpg","back":"","slug":"cms-image-000041351-jpg","text":"&lt;p&gt;\u201cStreet vendors are left out of this circus they have set up,\u201d says a used appliance vendor who prefers not to identify himself. On the other side of the street, two homeless people sleep on the sidewalks that cross Eighth Street East and Sixth Avenue South, where many have gone to make a living, in one of the loneliest spaces in the Historic Center. \u201cThree blocks from here, a coffee is four dollars. That's what I sometimes make in a day,\u201d says the vendor. Photo V\u00edctor Pe\u00f1a&lt;\/p&gt;","capt":"\u003Cp\u003E\u201cStreet vendors are left out of this circus they have set up,\u201d says a used appliance vendor who prefers not to identify himself. On the other side of the street, two homeless people sleep on the sidewalks that cross Eighth Street East and Sixth Avenue South, where many have gone to make a living, in one of the loneliest spaces in the Historic Center. \u201cThree blocks from here, a coffee is four dollars. That's what I sometimes make in a day,\u201d says the vendor. Photo V\u00edctor Pe\u00f1a\u003C\/p\u003E"},"cms-image-000041352-jpg":{"feat":"0","sort":"41352","name":"cms-image-000041352.jpg","link":"https:\/\/elfaro.net\/images\/cms-image-000041352.jpg","path":"https:\/\/elfaro.net\/images\/cms-image-000041352.jpg","back":"","slug":"cms-image-000041352-jpg","text":"&lt;p&gt;It has been four years since Fabi\u00e1n Gonz\u00e1lez was the last hairdresser working in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic in the Historic Center. Fabi\u00e1n, now 86, has worked permanently and lived intermittently downtown since 1985. He now lives in the room that belonged to his son, who committed suicide due to depression. The inn, of which Fabi\u00e1n is the sole tenant, is one block from Plaza Libertad. He pays $65 for the room, which during the pandemic cost $45. \u201cEverything has gone up in price; the Center is now a beauty that we can\u2019t afford,\u201d he says, sitting in the dark room near the lights and bustle of Plaza Libertad\u2019s Christmas Village. Photo Carlos Barrera&lt;\/p&gt;","capt":"\u003Cp\u003EIt has been four years since Fabi\u00e1n Gonz\u00e1lez was the last hairdresser working in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic in the Historic Center. Fabi\u00e1n, now 86, has worked permanently and lived intermittently downtown since 1985. He now lives in the room that belonged to his son, who committed suicide due to depression. The inn, of which Fabi\u00e1n is the sole tenant, is one block from Plaza Libertad. He pays $65 for the room, which during the pandemic cost $45. \u201cEverything has gone up in price; the Center is now a beauty that we can\u2019t afford,\u201d he says, sitting in the dark room near the lights and bustle of Plaza Libertad\u2019s Christmas Village. Photo Carlos Barrera\u003C\/p\u003E"},"cms-image-000041353-jpg":{"feat":"0","sort":"41353","name":"cms-image-000041353.jpg","link":"https:\/\/elfaro.net\/images\/cms-image-000041353.jpg","path":"https:\/\/elfaro.net\/images\/cms-image-000041353.jpg","back":"","slug":"cms-image-000041353-jpg","text":"&lt;p&gt;On December 3, inmates worked on the construction of the Christmas Village in the Historic Center while prison custodians strolled between Plaza Moraz\u00e1n and Plaza Gerardo Barrios. The Christmas Village was inaugurated on Saturday, December 7. Photo V\u00edctor Pe\u00f1a&lt;\/p&gt;","capt":"\u003Cp\u003EOn December 3, inmates worked on the construction of the Christmas Village in the Historic Center while prison custodians strolled between Plaza Moraz\u00e1n and Plaza Gerardo Barrios. The Christmas Village was inaugurated on Saturday, December 7. Photo V\u00edctor Pe\u00f1a\u003C\/p\u003E"},"cms-image-000041354-jpg":{"feat":"0","sort":"41354","name":"cms-image-000041354.jpg","link":"https:\/\/elfaro.net\/images\/cms-image-000041354.jpg","path":"https:\/\/elfaro.net\/images\/cms-image-000041354.jpg","back":"","slug":"cms-image-000041354-jpg","text":"&lt;p&gt;The monument in Plaza Libertad is surrounded by a villa with a house standing in the center. In front of the big red house the sign \u201cLa Casa de Santa Claus\u201d (Santa\u2019s House) welcomes visitors. At the base of the house, digital signs advertise bitcoin. Dozens of people attracted by the lights and food crowd the square. This public space is off-limits to street vendors who make a living offering products in the Historic Center. Photo Carlos Barrera&lt;\/p&gt;","capt":"\u003Cp\u003EThe monument in Plaza Libertad is surrounded by a villa with a house standing in the center. In front of the big red house the sign \u201cLa Casa de Santa Claus\u201d (Santa\u2019s House) welcomes visitors. At the base of the house, digital signs advertise bitcoin. Dozens of people attracted by the lights and food crowd the square. This public space is off-limits to street vendors who make a living offering products in the Historic Center. Photo Carlos Barrera\u003C\/p\u003E"},"cms-image-000041355-jpg":{"feat":"1","sort":"41355","name":"cms-image-000041355.jpg","link":"https:\/\/elfaro.net\/images\/cms-image-000041355.jpg","path":"https:\/\/elfaro.net\/images\/cms-image-000041355.jpg","back":"","slug":"cms-image-000041355-jpg","text":"&lt;p&gt;Thousands of lights adorn the now pedestrian walkway on Second Street East in the Historic Center. On one side of the walkway is the building purchased by the brothers of President Nayib Bukele for $1.3 million. On its rooftop operates a luxury restaurant. Photo Carlos Barrera&lt;\/p&gt;","capt":"\u003Cp\u003EThousands of lights adorn the now pedestrian walkway on Second Street East in the Historic Center. On one side of the walkway is the building purchased by the brothers of President Nayib Bukele for $1.3 million. On its rooftop operates a luxury restaurant. Photo Carlos Barrera\u003C\/p\u003E"},"cms-image-000041356-jpg":{"feat":"0","sort":"41356","name":"cms-image-000041356.jpg","link":"https:\/\/elfaro.net\/images\/cms-image-000041356.jpg","path":"https:\/\/elfaro.net\/images\/cms-image-000041356.jpg","back":"","slug":"cms-image-000041356-jpg","text":"&lt;p&gt;Dozens of videos circulate on social media of CAM agents seizing carts of ice cream and baskets of vegetables, or videos of sherbet vendors fleeing while a CAM truck chases them. These scenes play out up and down the blocks of the Historic Center, which at times looks like a shopping mall with seductive fast food, dessert, and clothing stores. Photo Carlos Barrera&lt;\/p&gt;","capt":"\u003Cp\u003EDozens of videos circulate on social media of CAM agents seizing carts of ice cream and baskets of vegetables, or videos of sherbet vendors fleeing while a CAM truck chases them. These scenes play out up and down the blocks of the Historic Center, which at times looks like a shopping mall with seductive fast food, dessert, and clothing stores. Photo Carlos Barrera\u003C\/p\u003E"},"cms-image-000041357-jpg":{"feat":"0","sort":"41357","name":"cms-image-000041357.jpg","link":"https:\/\/elfaro.net\/images\/cms-image-000041357.jpg","path":"https:\/\/elfaro.net\/images\/cms-image-000041357.jpg","back":"","slug":"cms-image-000041357-jpg","text":"&lt;p&gt;In the shadows of Sixth Avenue South, one block from Plaza Libertad and two blocks from the National Library, Margarita Rosales looks for the last pieces of scrap metal to sell. She has been working there for more than 15 years, selling pieces to people who then take them to the street and hawk them in improvised stalls. These street businesses have already been displaced one block. Before, they used to sell between El Rosario Church and the old Libertad movie theater, which is now under construction. They crowd the entire block of the avenue near the Republic of Costa Rica Schoolhouse. Photo Carlos Barrera&lt;\/p&gt;","capt":"\u003Cp\u003EIn the shadows of Sixth Avenue South, one block from Plaza Libertad and two blocks from the National Library, Margarita Rosales looks for the last pieces of scrap metal to sell. She has been working there for more than 15 years, selling pieces to people who then take them to the street and hawk them in improvised stalls. These street businesses have already been displaced one block. Before, they used to sell between El Rosario Church and the old Libertad movie theater, which is now under construction. They crowd the entire block of the avenue near the Republic of Costa Rica Schoolhouse. Photo Carlos Barrera\u003C\/p\u003E"},"cms-image-000041358-jpg":{"feat":"0","sort":"41358","name":"cms-image-000041358.jpg","link":"https:\/\/elfaro.net\/images\/cms-image-000041358.jpg","path":"https:\/\/elfaro.net\/images\/cms-image-000041358.jpg","back":"","slug":"cms-image-000041358-jpg","text":"&lt;p&gt;Sa\u00fal and Rigoberto catch their breath after evading CAM agents, a block and a half from the National Library, barely illuminated by passing vehicles on Eighth Street West. They do not live in the Historic Downtown area but pay $50 a month for a warehouse to store the product they sell. \u201cThe lighted area is nice, but it's getting more and more difficult for us to get closer to try to sell,\u201d says Rigoberto. \u201cMaybe one day we won't even be able to sell here,\u201d adds Sa\u00fal. Photo Carlos Barrera&lt;\/p&gt;","capt":"\u003Cp\u003ESa\u00fal and Rigoberto catch their breath after evading CAM agents, a block and a half from the National Library, barely illuminated by passing vehicles on Eighth Street West. They do not live in the Historic Downtown area but pay $50 a month for a warehouse to store the product they sell. \u201cThe lighted area is nice, but it's getting more and more difficult for us to get closer to try to sell,\u201d says Rigoberto. \u201cMaybe one day we won't even be able to sell here,\u201d adds Sa\u00fal. Photo Carlos Barrera\u003C\/p\u003E"},"cms-image-000041359-jpg":{"feat":"0","sort":"41359","name":"cms-image-000041359.jpg","link":"https:\/\/elfaro.net\/images\/cms-image-000041359.jpg","path":"https:\/\/elfaro.net\/images\/cms-image-000041359.jpg","back":"","slug":"cms-image-000041359-jpg","text":"&lt;p&gt;In 2020, at the height of the pandemic, Fabi\u00e1n was paying $115 a month for the premises of a hairdresser's shop. A year later the fee was bumped to $200, on top of $65 for his room and $20 for electricity and water. He says that thanks to his clientele he manages to eke out his monthly payments, but a few months ago people from the mayor's office came to the barbershop to tell him that they might close his business in the next few months. \u201cThey didn't give me any further explanation. I think it is because they see that this is a humble business. They are going to want to close it, and I can't invest in remodeling it,\u201d he said. Photo Carlos Barrera&lt;\/p&gt;","capt":"\u003Cp\u003EIn 2020, at the height of the pandemic, Fabi\u00e1n was paying $115 a month for the premises of a hairdresser's shop. A year later the fee was bumped to $200, on top of $65 for his room and $20 for electricity and water. He says that thanks to his clientele he manages to eke out his monthly payments, but a few months ago people from the mayor's office came to the barbershop to tell him that they might close his business in the next few months. \u201cThey didn't give me any further explanation. I think it is because they see that this is a humble business. They are going to want to close it, and I can't invest in remodeling it,\u201d he said. Photo Carlos Barrera\u003C\/p\u003E"},"cms-image-000041360-jpg":{"feat":"0","sort":"41360","name":"cms-image-000041360.jpg","link":"https:\/\/elfaro.net\/images\/cms-image-000041360.jpg","path":"https:\/\/elfaro.net\/images\/cms-image-000041360.jpg","back":"","slug":"cms-image-000041360-jpg","text":"&lt;p&gt;In the late afternoon, informal vendors converge on Sixth Avenue South. It is, for a moment, a safe area for bartering, far from the constant persecution of municipal agents and only three blocks from the Christmas Village. A pedestrian peers into the group of vendors and shows his backpack, a pair of shoes, a pair of pants, a shirt with Spiderman's mask and three old books. \u201cHow much for that?\u201d a vendor asks. \u201cWhatever you want, chief,\u201d he replies. \u201cI\u2019ll give you three dollars.\u201d \u201cFine by me.\u201d Photo V\u00edctor Pe\u00f1a&lt;\/p&gt;","capt":"\u003Cp\u003EIn the late afternoon, informal vendors converge on Sixth Avenue South. It is, for a moment, a safe area for bartering, far from the constant persecution of municipal agents and only three blocks from the Christmas Village. A pedestrian peers into the group of vendors and shows his backpack, a pair of shoes, a pair of pants, a shirt with Spiderman's mask and three old books. \u201cHow much for that?\u201d a vendor asks. \u201cWhatever you want, chief,\u201d he replies. \u201cI\u2019ll give you three dollars.\u201d \u201cFine by me.\u201d Photo V\u00edctor Pe\u00f1a\u003C\/p\u003E"}},"pict_main__sort":41355,"date":{"live":"2025\/01\/03"},"data_post_dateLive_YY":"2025","data_post_dateLive_MM":"01","data_post_dateLive_DD":"03","text":"\u003Cp id=\"docs-internal-guid-1887e7ae-7fff-1c5f-c88d-c5ea096a85b9\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Ca href=\"\/es\/202412\/ef_foto\/27684\/los-vecinos-que-no-caben-en-la-villa-navidena\"\u003ELeer en espa\u00f1ol\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003EThe Christmas Village of the Historic Center of San Salvador is a colorful village of small houses that simulates a town in perpetual Christmas, with a two-floor building known as \u201cSanta's house\u201d as its crown jewel. Everything was built in the two main squares of the Historic Center, near an ice skating rink installed for the season. These are the main tourist attractions for those visiting the gentrified downtown of San Salvador, complete with new gourmet caf\u00e9s, restaurants, and luxury hotels, which the government boasts in official propaganda as evidence of a \u201crevitalization\u201d. This includes the La Do\u00f1a Steakhouse, set up in a building that President Nayib Bukele\u2019s brothers bought for $1.3 million dollars, taking advantage of a tax exemption approved by the Bukele-controlled legislature.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003EThe Christmas Village is the stage of the officially approved narrative about El Salvador: a happy place, full of decorative lights and prosperity, reminiscent of the plazas and parks of more developed countries. It is a synthesis of the official propaganda: a country that is making leaps and bounds toward the first world. However, not everyone fits here. But unwelcome are those who have lived and worked in the Historic Center for decades: vegetable and popsicle vendors, beggars, inhabitants of ruined inns looking for coins along the sidewalks, elderly hairdressers, aging women who survive on meager baskets of sweets. They have all been scattered, erased from the official photograph of the Historic Center and the country. As of the 2015 municipal census, there were more than 22,000 informal vendors here, from those with stalls made of tin to those who wandered around with their products in hand. Some of them are still there; they live there.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003EThese are the inhabitants of the Historic Center, those who gave it life when the place was the scene of gang warfare, when it only appeared in official speeches as a headache without remedy, a blip in the country of Bukele\u2019s tale.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003E\u00a0\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E    \u003Cfigure class=\"pict pict_land pict_move_posc 0 cs_img cs_img--curr rule--ss_c\" data-shot=\"pict\" data-hint=\"pict\"\u003E \u003Cdiv class=\"pict__pobj text-overflow\"\u003E\u003Cimg src=https:\/\/elfaro.net\/get_img?ImageWidth=4000&ImageHeight=2666&ImageId=41346 class=\"pobj\" style=\"max-width: 100%\" rel=\"resizable\" alt=\"Jos\u00e9 picks up coins in front of the National Library. He walks along the edges of the streets of the Historic Center to detect coins trapped under the tiles that cover the drains. He is 70 years old and is a do-it-all, \u201ca day laborer with a sickle and a paintbrush,\u201d as he calls himself. When he finds no work for the day, he collects coins with the help of two iron rods, with bent blades at the ends, which penetrate into the slots where his hands cannot fit. In about half an hour, Jos\u00e9 found coins totalling $0.52. \u201cIt was better when all those [informal vendor] shacks were here. There was more money lying around,\u201d he recounts as he battles for 20 minutes to salvage a $1 coin in front of the National Library of El Salvador. \u201cI don\u2019t always find lots of the ones I want. But I'm poor, and that's why I do this,\u201d he says amid the hustle and bustle of the installation of the ice rink and Christmas Village. Photo V\u00edctor Pe\u00f1a\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E \u003Cfigcaption class=\"pict__text cs_img_caption folk_content typo_buttons line--ss_s0c line--ss_s0c--auto block full-width text-overflow rule--ss_l relative\"\u003E \u003Cdiv class=\"__content block-inline full-width align-top tint-text--idle relative\"\u003E Jos\u00e9 picks up coins in front of the National Library. He walks along the edges of the streets of the Historic Center to detect coins trapped under the tiles that cover the drains. He is 70 years old and is a do-it-all, \u201ca day laborer with a sickle and a paintbrush,\u201d as he calls himself. When he finds no work for the day, he collects coins with the help of two iron rods, with bent blades at the ends, which penetrate into the slots where his hands cannot fit. In about half an hour, Jos\u00e9 found coins totalling $0.52. \u201cIt was better when all those [informal vendor] shacks were here. There was more money lying around,\u201d he recounts as he battles for 20 minutes to salvage a $1 coin in front of the National Library of El Salvador. \u201cI don\u2019t always find lots of the ones I want. But I'm poor, and that's why I do this,\u201d he says amid the hustle and bustle of the installation of the ice rink and Christmas Village. Photo V\u00edctor Pe\u00f1a \u003Cdiv class=\"photographer text_italic rule--ss_l tint-text--idle\"\u003E \u003C\/div\u003E \u003C\/div\u003E \u003C\/figcaption\u003E \u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003E\u00a0\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003E\u00a0\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E    \u003Cfigure class=\"pict pict_land pict_move_posc 0 cs_img cs_img--curr rule--ss_c\" data-shot=\"pict\" data-hint=\"pict\"\u003E \u003Cdiv class=\"pict__pobj text-overflow\"\u003E\u003Cimg src=https:\/\/elfaro.net\/get_img?ImageWidth=4000&ImageHeight=2667&ImageId=41347 class=\"pobj\" style=\"max-width: 100%\" rel=\"resizable\" alt=\"\u201cI'm afraid of those men,\u201d says Vilma, \u201dthose policemen.\u201d \u201cWhy are you afraid of them?\u201d \u201dBecause they always scold me and want to hit me and throw me out of here.\u201d Vilma, 48, wanders around Plaza Libertad to collect plastic bottles with which she makes a living. Almost every afternoon she sits in front of the ruined house of former president Alfonso Qui\u00f1\u00f3nez Molina, a member of the Mel\u00e9ndez Qui\u00f1\u00f3nez dynasty, who also governed between 1913 and 1927. That space, less than a hundred meters from the Christmas Village of Plaza Libertad, today is a smelly corner where some homeless people tend to relieve themselves. Photo V\u00edctor Pe\u00f1a\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E \u003Cfigcaption class=\"pict__text cs_img_caption folk_content typo_buttons line--ss_s0c line--ss_s0c--auto block full-width text-overflow rule--ss_l relative\"\u003E \u003Cdiv class=\"__content block-inline full-width align-top tint-text--idle relative\"\u003E \u201cI'm afraid of those men,\u201d says Vilma, \u201dthose policemen.\u201d \u201cWhy are you afraid of them?\u201d \u201dBecause they always scold me and want to hit me and throw me out of here.\u201d Vilma, 48, wanders around Plaza Libertad to collect plastic bottles with which she makes a living. Almost every afternoon she sits in front of the ruined house of former president Alfonso Qui\u00f1\u00f3nez Molina, a member of the Mel\u00e9ndez Qui\u00f1\u00f3nez dynasty, who also governed between 1913 and 1927. That space, less than a hundred meters from the Christmas Village of Plaza Libertad, today is a smelly corner where some homeless people tend to relieve themselves. Photo V\u00edctor Pe\u00f1a \u003Cdiv class=\"photographer text_italic rule--ss_l tint-text--idle\"\u003E \u003C\/div\u003E \u003C\/div\u003E \u003C\/figcaption\u003E \u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003E\u00a0\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003E\u00a0\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E    \u003Cfigure class=\"pict pict_land pict_move_posc 0 cs_img cs_img--curr rule--ss_c\" data-shot=\"pict\" data-hint=\"pict\"\u003E \u003Cdiv class=\"pict__pobj text-overflow\"\u003E\u003Cimg src=https:\/\/elfaro.net\/get_img?ImageWidth=4000&ImageHeight=2667&ImageId=41348 class=\"pobj\" style=\"max-width: 100%\" rel=\"resizable\" alt=\"A family of vendors walks toward Plaza Zurita, on Eighth Street East, in downtown San Salvador. In the same area converge other vendors who are also fleeing from the metropolitan police (CAM), who maintain permanent operations to displace and confiscate products from informal traders who approach the revitalized blocks of the Historic Center. Among many conversations with vendors, a few phrases stand out: \u201cThose government people have gone crazy with money.\u201d \u201cAll of them will have a bad end.\u201d \u201cThey don\u2019t go hungry, they have all they need.\u201d \u201cEither they get tired or we get tired.\u201d Photo V\u00edctor Pe\u00f1a\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E \u003Cfigcaption class=\"pict__text cs_img_caption folk_content typo_buttons line--ss_s0c line--ss_s0c--auto block full-width text-overflow rule--ss_l relative\"\u003E \u003Cdiv class=\"__content block-inline full-width align-top tint-text--idle relative\"\u003E A family of vendors walks toward Plaza Zurita, on Eighth Street East, in downtown San Salvador. In the same area converge other vendors who are also fleeing from the metropolitan police (CAM), who maintain permanent operations to displace and confiscate products from informal traders who approach the revitalized blocks of the Historic Center. Among many conversations with vendors, a few phrases stand out: \u201cThose government people have gone crazy with money.\u201d \u201cAll of them will have a bad end.\u201d \u201cThey don\u2019t go hungry, they have all they need.\u201d \u201cEither they get tired or we get tired.\u201d Photo V\u00edctor Pe\u00f1a \u003Cdiv class=\"photographer text_italic rule--ss_l tint-text--idle\"\u003E \u003C\/div\u003E \u003C\/div\u003E \u003C\/figcaption\u003E \u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003E\u00a0\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003E\u00a0\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E    \u003Cfigure class=\"pict pict_land pict_move_posc 0 cs_img cs_img--curr rule--ss_c\" data-shot=\"pict\" data-hint=\"pict\"\u003E \u003Cdiv class=\"pict__pobj text-overflow\"\u003E\u003Cimg src=https:\/\/elfaro.net\/get_img?ImageWidth=4000&ImageHeight=2666&ImageId=41349 class=\"pobj\" style=\"max-width: 100%\" rel=\"resizable\" alt=\"Mari Santos, 55, is a street vendor of vegetables in the Historic Center. Like many others, Mari is an inhabitant of the dozens of inns that surround the renovated district. To make a living she scurries around every day, hiding from CAM agents who confiscate the sales of those who dare to approach the main plazas of the Center. \u201cRight now I'm killing time in the lottery to go up later tonight and run from the CAM. I prefer not to sell than have the product go to waste in the municipal warehouses; that's why I wait for the night because it's easier to flee,\u201d she says. Photo Carlos Barrera\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E \u003Cfigcaption class=\"pict__text cs_img_caption folk_content typo_buttons line--ss_s0c line--ss_s0c--auto block full-width text-overflow rule--ss_l relative\"\u003E \u003Cdiv class=\"__content block-inline full-width align-top tint-text--idle relative\"\u003E Mari Santos, 55, is a street vendor of vegetables in the Historic Center. Like many others, Mari is an inhabitant of the dozens of inns that surround the renovated district. To make a living she scurries around every day, hiding from CAM agents who confiscate the sales of those who dare to approach the main plazas of the Center. \u201cRight now I'm killing time in the lottery to go up later tonight and run from the CAM. I prefer not to sell than have the product go to waste in the municipal warehouses; that's why I wait for the night because it's easier to flee,\u201d she says. Photo Carlos Barrera \u003Cdiv class=\"photographer text_italic rule--ss_l tint-text--idle\"\u003E \u003C\/div\u003E \u003C\/div\u003E \u003C\/figcaption\u003E \u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003E\u00a0\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003E\u00a0\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E    \u003Cfigure class=\"pict pict_land pict_move_posc 0 cs_img cs_img--curr rule--ss_c\" data-shot=\"pict\" data-hint=\"pict\"\u003E \u003Cdiv class=\"pict__pobj text-overflow\"\u003E\u003Cimg src=https:\/\/elfaro.net\/get_img?ImageWidth=4000&ImageHeight=2667&ImageId=41350 class=\"pobj\" style=\"max-width: 100%\" rel=\"resizable\" alt=\"Elva Mart\u00ednez, 65 years old, spends her days prostrate in a chair in front of the place where she rents a room for $70 a month. She is diabetic and a month ago suffered a fainting spell that caused a serious blow to her hip and right shoulder. Her swollen feet prevent her from going out to look for cans to sell to a junkyard. She survives by selling candy, which barely covers the cost of her room. Two months ago the manager of the inn where she lives announced that he would increase her rent by $15. Elva did not accept; it is impossible for her to pay, so she has been waiting for them to maintain the standing price or evict her. Photo Carlos Barrera\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E \u003Cfigcaption class=\"pict__text cs_img_caption folk_content typo_buttons line--ss_s0c line--ss_s0c--auto block full-width text-overflow rule--ss_l relative\"\u003E \u003Cdiv class=\"__content block-inline full-width align-top tint-text--idle relative\"\u003E Elva Mart\u00ednez, 65 years old, spends her days prostrate in a chair in front of the place where she rents a room for $70 a month. She is diabetic and a month ago suffered a fainting spell that caused a serious blow to her hip and right shoulder. Her swollen feet prevent her from going out to look for cans to sell to a junkyard. She survives by selling candy, which barely covers the cost of her room. Two months ago the manager of the inn where she lives announced that he would increase her rent by $15. Elva did not accept; it is impossible for her to pay, so she has been waiting for them to maintain the standing price or evict her. Photo Carlos Barrera \u003Cdiv class=\"photographer text_italic rule--ss_l tint-text--idle\"\u003E \u003C\/div\u003E \u003C\/div\u003E \u003C\/figcaption\u003E \u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003E\u00a0\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003E\u00a0\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E    \u003Cfigure class=\"pict pict_land pict_move_posc 0 cs_img cs_img--curr rule--ss_c\" data-shot=\"pict\" data-hint=\"pict\"\u003E \u003Cdiv class=\"pict__pobj text-overflow\"\u003E\u003Cimg src=https:\/\/elfaro.net\/get_img?ImageWidth=4000&ImageHeight=2667&ImageId=41351 class=\"pobj\" style=\"max-width: 100%\" rel=\"resizable\" alt=\"\u201cStreet vendors are left out of this circus they have set up,\u201d says a used appliance vendor who prefers not to identify himself. On the other side of the street, two homeless people sleep on the sidewalks that cross Eighth Street East and Sixth Avenue South, where many have gone to make a living, in one of the loneliest spaces in the Historic Center. \u201cThree blocks from here, a coffee is four dollars. That's what I sometimes make in a day,\u201d says the vendor. Photo V\u00edctor Pe\u00f1a\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E \u003Cfigcaption class=\"pict__text cs_img_caption folk_content typo_buttons line--ss_s0c line--ss_s0c--auto block full-width text-overflow rule--ss_l relative\"\u003E \u003Cdiv class=\"__content block-inline full-width align-top tint-text--idle relative\"\u003E \u201cStreet vendors are left out of this circus they have set up,\u201d says a used appliance vendor who prefers not to identify himself. On the other side of the street, two homeless people sleep on the sidewalks that cross Eighth Street East and Sixth Avenue South, where many have gone to make a living, in one of the loneliest spaces in the Historic Center. \u201cThree blocks from here, a coffee is four dollars. That's what I sometimes make in a day,\u201d says the vendor. Photo V\u00edctor Pe\u00f1a \u003Cdiv class=\"photographer text_italic rule--ss_l tint-text--idle\"\u003E \u003C\/div\u003E \u003C\/div\u003E \u003C\/figcaption\u003E \u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003E\u00a0\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003E\u00a0\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E    \u003Cfigure class=\"pict pict_land pict_move_posc 0 cs_img cs_img--curr rule--ss_c\" data-shot=\"pict\" data-hint=\"pict\"\u003E \u003Cdiv class=\"pict__pobj text-overflow\"\u003E\u003Cimg src=https:\/\/elfaro.net\/get_img?ImageWidth=4000&ImageHeight=2667&ImageId=41352 class=\"pobj\" style=\"max-width: 100%\" rel=\"resizable\" alt=\"It has been four years since Fabi\u00e1n Gonz\u00e1lez was the last hairdresser working in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic in the Historic Center. Fabi\u00e1n, now 86, has worked permanently and lived intermittently downtown since 1985. He now lives in the room that belonged to his son, who committed suicide due to depression. The inn, of which Fabi\u00e1n is the sole tenant, is one block from Plaza Libertad. He pays $65 for the room, which during the pandemic cost $45. \u201cEverything has gone up in price; the Center is now a beauty that we can\u2019t afford,\u201d he says, sitting in the dark room near the lights and bustle of Plaza Libertad\u2019s Christmas Village. Photo Carlos Barrera\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E \u003Cfigcaption class=\"pict__text cs_img_caption folk_content typo_buttons line--ss_s0c line--ss_s0c--auto block full-width text-overflow rule--ss_l relative\"\u003E \u003Cdiv class=\"__content block-inline full-width align-top tint-text--idle relative\"\u003E It has been four years since Fabi\u00e1n Gonz\u00e1lez was the last hairdresser working in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic in the Historic Center. Fabi\u00e1n, now 86, has worked permanently and lived intermittently downtown since 1985. He now lives in the room that belonged to his son, who committed suicide due to depression. The inn, of which Fabi\u00e1n is the sole tenant, is one block from Plaza Libertad. He pays $65 for the room, which during the pandemic cost $45. \u201cEverything has gone up in price; the Center is now a beauty that we can\u2019t afford,\u201d he says, sitting in the dark room near the lights and bustle of Plaza Libertad\u2019s Christmas Village. Photo Carlos Barrera \u003Cdiv class=\"photographer text_italic rule--ss_l tint-text--idle\"\u003E \u003C\/div\u003E \u003C\/div\u003E \u003C\/figcaption\u003E \u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003E\u00a0\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003E\u00a0\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E    \u003Cfigure class=\"pict pict_land pict_move_posc 0 cs_img cs_img--curr rule--ss_c\" data-shot=\"pict\" data-hint=\"pict\"\u003E \u003Cdiv class=\"pict__pobj text-overflow\"\u003E\u003Cimg src=https:\/\/elfaro.net\/get_img?ImageWidth=4000&ImageHeight=2667&ImageId=41353 class=\"pobj\" style=\"max-width: 100%\" rel=\"resizable\" alt=\"On December 3, inmates worked on the construction of the Christmas Village in the Historic Center while prison custodians strolled between Plaza Moraz\u00e1n and Plaza Gerardo Barrios. The Christmas Village was inaugurated on Saturday, December 7. Photo V\u00edctor Pe\u00f1a\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E \u003Cfigcaption class=\"pict__text cs_img_caption folk_content typo_buttons line--ss_s0c line--ss_s0c--auto block full-width text-overflow rule--ss_l relative\"\u003E \u003Cdiv class=\"__content block-inline full-width align-top tint-text--idle relative\"\u003E On December 3, inmates worked on the construction of the Christmas Village in the Historic Center while prison custodians strolled between Plaza Moraz\u00e1n and Plaza Gerardo Barrios. The Christmas Village was inaugurated on Saturday, December 7. Photo V\u00edctor Pe\u00f1a \u003Cdiv class=\"photographer text_italic rule--ss_l tint-text--idle\"\u003E \u003C\/div\u003E \u003C\/div\u003E \u003C\/figcaption\u003E \u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003E\u00a0\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003E\u00a0\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E    \u003Cfigure class=\"pict pict_land pict_move_posc 0 cs_img cs_img--curr rule--ss_c\" data-shot=\"pict\" data-hint=\"pict\"\u003E \u003Cdiv class=\"pict__pobj text-overflow\"\u003E\u003Cimg src=https:\/\/elfaro.net\/get_img?ImageWidth=4000&ImageHeight=2250&ImageId=41354 class=\"pobj\" style=\"max-width: 100%\" rel=\"resizable\" alt=\"The monument in Plaza Libertad is surrounded by a villa with a house standing in the center. In front of the big red house the sign \u201cLa Casa de Santa Claus\u201d (Santa\u2019s House) welcomes visitors. At the base of the house, digital signs advertise bitcoin. Dozens of people attracted by the lights and food crowd the square. This public space is off-limits to street vendors who make a living offering products in the Historic Center. Photo Carlos Barrera\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E \u003Cfigcaption class=\"pict__text cs_img_caption folk_content typo_buttons line--ss_s0c line--ss_s0c--auto block full-width text-overflow rule--ss_l relative\"\u003E \u003Cdiv class=\"__content block-inline full-width align-top tint-text--idle relative\"\u003E The monument in Plaza Libertad is surrounded by a villa with a house standing in the center. In front of the big red house the sign \u201cLa Casa de Santa Claus\u201d (Santa\u2019s House) welcomes visitors. At the base of the house, digital signs advertise bitcoin. Dozens of people attracted by the lights and food crowd the square. This public space is off-limits to street vendors who make a living offering products in the Historic Center. Photo Carlos Barrera \u003Cdiv class=\"photographer text_italic rule--ss_l tint-text--idle\"\u003E \u003C\/div\u003E \u003C\/div\u003E \u003C\/figcaption\u003E \u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003E\u00a0\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003E\u00a0\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E    \u003Cfigure class=\"pict pict_land pict_move_posc 0 cs_img cs_img--curr rule--ss_c\" data-shot=\"pict\" data-hint=\"pict\"\u003E \u003Cdiv class=\"pict__pobj text-overflow\"\u003E\u003Cimg src=https:\/\/elfaro.net\/get_img?ImageWidth=4000&ImageHeight=2667&ImageId=41355 class=\"pobj\" style=\"max-width: 100%\" rel=\"resizable\" alt=\"Thousands of lights adorn the now pedestrian walkway on Second Street East in the Historic Center. On one side of the walkway is the building purchased by the brothers of President Nayib Bukele for $1.3 million. On its rooftop operates a luxury restaurant. Photo Carlos Barrera\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E \u003Cfigcaption class=\"pict__text cs_img_caption folk_content typo_buttons line--ss_s0c line--ss_s0c--auto block full-width text-overflow rule--ss_l relative\"\u003E \u003Cdiv class=\"__content block-inline full-width align-top tint-text--idle relative\"\u003E Thousands of lights adorn the now pedestrian walkway on Second Street East in the Historic Center. On one side of the walkway is the building purchased by the brothers of President Nayib Bukele for $1.3 million. On its rooftop operates a luxury restaurant. Photo Carlos Barrera \u003Cdiv class=\"photographer text_italic rule--ss_l tint-text--idle\"\u003E \u003C\/div\u003E \u003C\/div\u003E \u003C\/figcaption\u003E \u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003E\u00a0\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003E\u00a0\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E    \u003Cfigure class=\"pict pict_land pict_move_posc 0 cs_img cs_img--curr rule--ss_c\" data-shot=\"pict\" data-hint=\"pict\"\u003E \u003Cdiv class=\"pict__pobj text-overflow\"\u003E\u003Cimg src=https:\/\/elfaro.net\/get_img?ImageWidth=4000&ImageHeight=2667&ImageId=41356 class=\"pobj\" style=\"max-width: 100%\" rel=\"resizable\" alt=\"Dozens of videos circulate on social media of CAM agents seizing carts of ice cream and baskets of vegetables, or videos of sherbet vendors fleeing while a CAM truck chases them. These scenes play out up and down the blocks of the Historic Center, which at times looks like a shopping mall with seductive fast food, dessert, and clothing stores. Photo Carlos Barrera\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E \u003Cfigcaption class=\"pict__text cs_img_caption folk_content typo_buttons line--ss_s0c line--ss_s0c--auto block full-width text-overflow rule--ss_l relative\"\u003E \u003Cdiv class=\"__content block-inline full-width align-top tint-text--idle relative\"\u003E Dozens of videos circulate on social media of CAM agents seizing carts of ice cream and baskets of vegetables, or videos of sherbet vendors fleeing while a CAM truck chases them. These scenes play out up and down the blocks of the Historic Center, which at times looks like a shopping mall with seductive fast food, dessert, and clothing stores. Photo Carlos Barrera \u003Cdiv class=\"photographer text_italic rule--ss_l tint-text--idle\"\u003E \u003C\/div\u003E \u003C\/div\u003E \u003C\/figcaption\u003E \u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003E\u00a0\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003E\u00a0\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E    \u003Cfigure class=\"pict pict_land pict_move_posc 0 cs_img cs_img--curr rule--ss_c\" data-shot=\"pict\" data-hint=\"pict\"\u003E \u003Cdiv class=\"pict__pobj text-overflow\"\u003E\u003Cimg src=https:\/\/elfaro.net\/get_img?ImageWidth=4000&ImageHeight=2667&ImageId=41357 class=\"pobj\" style=\"max-width: 100%\" rel=\"resizable\" alt=\"In the shadows of Sixth Avenue South, one block from Plaza Libertad and two blocks from the National Library, Margarita Rosales looks for the last pieces of scrap metal to sell. She has been working there for more than 15 years, selling pieces to people who then take them to the street and hawk them in improvised stalls. These street businesses have already been displaced one block. Before, they used to sell between El Rosario Church and the old Libertad movie theater, which is now under construction. They crowd the entire block of the avenue near the Republic of Costa Rica Schoolhouse. Photo Carlos Barrera\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E \u003Cfigcaption class=\"pict__text cs_img_caption folk_content typo_buttons line--ss_s0c line--ss_s0c--auto block full-width text-overflow rule--ss_l relative\"\u003E \u003Cdiv class=\"__content block-inline full-width align-top tint-text--idle relative\"\u003E In the shadows of Sixth Avenue South, one block from Plaza Libertad and two blocks from the National Library, Margarita Rosales looks for the last pieces of scrap metal to sell. She has been working there for more than 15 years, selling pieces to people who then take them to the street and hawk them in improvised stalls. These street businesses have already been displaced one block. Before, they used to sell between El Rosario Church and the old Libertad movie theater, which is now under construction. They crowd the entire block of the avenue near the Republic of Costa Rica Schoolhouse. Photo Carlos Barrera \u003Cdiv class=\"photographer text_italic rule--ss_l tint-text--idle\"\u003E \u003C\/div\u003E \u003C\/div\u003E \u003C\/figcaption\u003E \u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003E\u00a0\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003E\u00a0\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E    \u003Cfigure class=\"pict pict_land pict_move_posc 0 cs_img cs_img--curr rule--ss_c\" data-shot=\"pict\" data-hint=\"pict\"\u003E \u003Cdiv class=\"pict__pobj text-overflow\"\u003E\u003Cimg src=https:\/\/elfaro.net\/get_img?ImageWidth=4000&ImageHeight=2666&ImageId=41358 class=\"pobj\" style=\"max-width: 100%\" rel=\"resizable\" alt=\"Sa\u00fal and Rigoberto catch their breath after evading CAM agents, a block and a half from the National Library, barely illuminated by passing vehicles on Eighth Street West. They do not live in the Historic Downtown area but pay $50 a month for a warehouse to store the product they sell. \u201cThe lighted area is nice, but it's getting more and more difficult for us to get closer to try to sell,\u201d says Rigoberto. \u201cMaybe one day we won't even be able to sell here,\u201d adds Sa\u00fal. Photo Carlos Barrera\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E \u003Cfigcaption class=\"pict__text cs_img_caption folk_content typo_buttons line--ss_s0c line--ss_s0c--auto block full-width text-overflow rule--ss_l relative\"\u003E \u003Cdiv class=\"__content block-inline full-width align-top tint-text--idle relative\"\u003E Sa\u00fal and Rigoberto catch their breath after evading CAM agents, a block and a half from the National Library, barely illuminated by passing vehicles on Eighth Street West. They do not live in the Historic Downtown area but pay $50 a month for a warehouse to store the product they sell. \u201cThe lighted area is nice, but it's getting more and more difficult for us to get closer to try to sell,\u201d says Rigoberto. \u201cMaybe one day we won't even be able to sell here,\u201d adds Sa\u00fal. Photo Carlos Barrera \u003Cdiv class=\"photographer text_italic rule--ss_l tint-text--idle\"\u003E \u003C\/div\u003E \u003C\/div\u003E \u003C\/figcaption\u003E \u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003E\u00a0\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003E\u00a0\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E    \u003Cfigure class=\"pict pict_land pict_move_posc 0 cs_img cs_img--curr rule--ss_c\" data-shot=\"pict\" data-hint=\"pict\"\u003E \u003Cdiv class=\"pict__pobj text-overflow\"\u003E\u003Cimg src=https:\/\/elfaro.net\/get_img?ImageWidth=4000&ImageHeight=2667&ImageId=41359 class=\"pobj\" style=\"max-width: 100%\" rel=\"resizable\" alt=\"In 2020, at the height of the pandemic, Fabi\u00e1n was paying $115 a month for the premises of a hairdresser's shop. A year later the fee was bumped to $200, on top of $65 for his room and $20 for electricity and water. He says that thanks to his clientele he manages to eke out his monthly payments, but a few months ago people from the mayor's office came to the barbershop to tell him that they might close his business in the next few months. \u201cThey didn't give me any further explanation. I think it is because they see that this is a humble business. They are going to want to close it, and I can't invest in remodeling it,\u201d he said. Photo Carlos Barrera\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E \u003Cfigcaption class=\"pict__text cs_img_caption folk_content typo_buttons line--ss_s0c line--ss_s0c--auto block full-width text-overflow rule--ss_l relative\"\u003E \u003Cdiv class=\"__content block-inline full-width align-top tint-text--idle relative\"\u003E In 2020, at the height of the pandemic, Fabi\u00e1n was paying $115 a month for the premises of a hairdresser's shop. A year later the fee was bumped to $200, on top of $65 for his room and $20 for electricity and water. He says that thanks to his clientele he manages to eke out his monthly payments, but a few months ago people from the mayor's office came to the barbershop to tell him that they might close his business in the next few months. \u201cThey didn't give me any further explanation. I think it is because they see that this is a humble business. They are going to want to close it, and I can't invest in remodeling it,\u201d he said. Photo Carlos Barrera \u003Cdiv class=\"photographer text_italic rule--ss_l tint-text--idle\"\u003E \u003C\/div\u003E \u003C\/div\u003E \u003C\/figcaption\u003E \u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003E\u00a0\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003E\u00a0\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003Cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E    \u003Cfigure class=\"pict pict_land pict_move_posc 0 cs_img cs_img--curr rule--ss_c\" data-shot=\"pict\" data-hint=\"pict\"\u003E \u003Cdiv class=\"pict__pobj text-overflow\"\u003E\u003Cimg src=https:\/\/elfaro.net\/get_img?ImageWidth=4000&ImageHeight=2666&ImageId=41360 class=\"pobj\" style=\"max-width: 100%\" rel=\"resizable\" alt=\"In the late afternoon, informal vendors converge on Sixth Avenue South. It is, for a moment, a safe area for bartering, far from the constant persecution of municipal agents and only three blocks from the Christmas Village. A pedestrian peers into the group of vendors and shows his backpack, a pair of shoes, a pair of pants, a shirt with Spiderman's mask and three old books. \u201cHow much for that?\u201d a vendor asks. \u201cWhatever you want, chief,\u201d he replies. \u201cI\u2019ll give you three dollars.\u201d \u201cFine by me.\u201d Photo V\u00edctor Pe\u00f1a\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E \u003Cfigcaption class=\"pict__text cs_img_caption folk_content typo_buttons line--ss_s0c line--ss_s0c--auto block full-width text-overflow rule--ss_l relative\"\u003E \u003Cdiv class=\"__content block-inline full-width align-top tint-text--idle relative\"\u003E In the late afternoon, informal vendors converge on Sixth Avenue South. It is, for a moment, a safe area for bartering, far from the constant persecution of municipal agents and only three blocks from the Christmas Village. A pedestrian peers into the group of vendors and shows his backpack, a pair of shoes, a pair of pants, a shirt with Spiderman's mask and three old books. \u201cHow much for that?\u201d a vendor asks. \u201cWhatever you want, chief,\u201d he replies. \u201cI\u2019ll give you three dollars.\u201d \u201cFine by me.\u201d Photo V\u00edctor Pe\u00f1a \u003Cdiv class=\"photographer text_italic rule--ss_l tint-text--idle\"\u003E \u003C\/div\u003E \u003C\/div\u003E \u003C\/figcaption\u003E \u003C\/figure\u003E\u003Cbr\/\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E"}

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