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I don't know how to justify it but I feel like Duterte intentions were less sincere. He saw the drug crackdown as a good path to power and a great way to get rid of trouble makers.

Bukele definitely gets off on the adoration but I think he saw a problem he wanted to solve and went for it.

I could be wrong.

El Salvador had lost it's monopoly on violence. Before the crackdown Bukele had done a few cycles of treaty and and violent rebellion with the three different gang factions. I think he realizes he couldn't get ahead without decisive action.

I think Duterte is more of an opportunist. Drug users and dealers were an attractive victim for his populism.