The authorities of El Salvador deployed over 3,000 Army and National Civil Police forces in populated neighborhoods within the nation’s middle on Saturday (05/25/2024), as acknowledged by outgoing President Nayib Bukele.
In response to citizen complaints, Bukele introduced the set up of a safety perimeter within the Tikal 1,2,3, Valle del Sol, and La Chintuc neighborhoods in Apopa. He talked about the presence of over 2,000 troopers and 1,000 police, with out offering additional particulars, and confirmed the seize of members of the 18 Revolucionarios gang.
This mobilization of safety forces is a part of the emergency regime carried out since March 2022 after a surge in gang-related murders. It comes simply earlier than Bukele begins a second consecutive time period, in violation of the Constitution.
Bukele just lately claimed that the Armed Forces of El Salvador are on the verge of attaining their best victory. Meanwhile, throughout the emergency regime, there have been over 79,200 arrests reported by authorities, with human rights organizations documenting 1000’s of complaints of violations, together with arbitrary detentions and torture. Tragically, there have been experiences of 240 deaths of detainees in state custody.
Amnesty International and different human rights organizations have warned that state violence in impoverished communities has changed gang violence beneath the emergency regime. Despite criticism, the emergency measures have garnered important help among the many Salvadoran inhabitants.
The query stays: Does Latin America want extra leaders like Bukele?