The reported cases of extortion in El Salvador are on the rise, with a total of 238 complaints recorded by the National Civil Police (PNC) and the Attorney General’s Office (FGR) between January and April 10, 2024. According to official documents obtained by El Diario de Hoy, the cases of extortion involve a wide range of perpetrators, including individuals posing as gang members, police officers, and even acquaintances.
One high-profile case involves a businessman who is being extorted by relatives of a man previously arrested for drug possession. According to the businessman’s legal representative, the relatives are demanding large sums of money in exchange for not implicating the businessman in the drug-related crimes. The extortionists claim that the drugs seized from the man actually belonged to the businessman and threaten to reveal this information unless their demands are met.
In another disturbing trend, there have been reports of police officers using their authority to extort money from individuals under the guise of enforcing the emergency regime. Victims have reported receiving threats from individuals claiming to be gang members or being coerced into handing over money in exchange for not disclosing compromising information.
Despite the alarming increase in extortion cases, authorities have yet to make any arrests in connection with these crimes. The community remains on edge as individuals continue to fall victim to these extortion schemes, ranging from demands for financial support to requests for specific items or services.
As authorities work to address this pressing issue, it is essential for the public to remain vigilant and report any instances of extortion to the proper authorities. Extortion not only threatens the safety and security of individuals and businesses but also undermines the rule of law and the trust in institutions.