El Salvador's recent $1.4 billion deal with the IMF highlights serious economic troubles. Public debt has surged to 87% of GDP as of 2024, forcing the government to seek international aid to prevent default. Despite President Bukele's push for Bitcoin adoption and enhanced security measures, the country's economic growth has been disappointing, averaging only 2.8% over five years. Extreme poverty has nearly doubled since 2019, now affecting 8.8% of the population in 2023. Debt levels have skyrocketed, climbing from $21 billion in 2019 to $32 billion in 2024, with a 52% increase in a short span. The government has resorted to bond buybacks, like the $1.7 billion refinancing in April 2024, which has masked deeper financial issues rather than addressing them directly. This precarious situation raises questions about the effectiveness of the government’s policies and the long-term implications for the nation's economy.