Salvador declares state of emergency after 62 homicides in one day attributed to gangs

The police and the Salvador Army launched Saturday an operation against Mara Salvatrucha, one of the most dangerous gangs of the country, accused of being responsible for this wave of homicides.

Le Monde with AFP

The Parliament of Salvador, at the request of the President, Nayib Bukele, approved, Sunday, March 27th, the establishment of the state of emergency for a period of one month, in order to attempt to stem violence criminal gangs, accused of committing 62 murders in twenty-four hours.

The decree, approved by a large majority of Parliament, restricts freedom of assembly, the inviolability of correspondence and communications, and authorizes arrests without warrant.

According to the Salvadoral Constitution, the state of emergency can be put in place “in case of war, invasion of the territory, rebellion, sedition, disaster, epidemic or other general calamity, or serious disturbances of public order “.

“Since yesterday, we are witnessing a new rebound of homicides, against which we had worked so hard. While fighting offenders in the street, we try to decipher what is happening and there is Behind and finances all that, “said Bukele, who summoned a security meeting of security managers.

The Head of State has asked the Office of the Prosecutor to deal with the same “efficiency” all cases of gang members, which he would keep an eye on “judges who promote criminals”.

“This Saturday, March 26 ends up with 62 homicides in the country,” the civilian police on Twitter announced. “We will not recline in this war against gangs, we will continue to capture and bring about the criminals responsible for these acts,” she added.

Este Sábado 26 of Marzo Ha Cerrado Con 62 Homicidios in El País.
No RemérocedeMos in Esta # GuerracontraPandillas, … https://t.co/qpguugqsba (@pnc el salvador)

70,000 members of the Mara Salvatuchha at the Salvador

The police and the Salvador army launched Saturday an operation against Mara Salvatchha, one of the most dangerous gangs of the country. Several gang leaders have been arrested and are accused of being “responsible for homicides identified in recent hours,” the police explained.

/Media reports.