The Salvadoran Congress, with a pro-government majority, approved on Thursday the 31st extension of the emergency regime, one of President Nayib Bukele’s heavy-handed policies to combat gangs, to which most of the crimes in the country are attributed Central American.
The exception will be in effect for another 30 days nationwide starting October 7. It was approved on a partisan basis with 57 votes in favor, one against and two abstentions. This is the second extension since Bukele raised the possibility of doing without the short-term measure.
The security cabinet of the Bukele government asked Congress to approve the new extension considering that “there are still terrorist groups that, if not completely eradicated, their actions would allow a setback to the achievements obtained.”
During the debate, in which only parliamentarians from the ruling Nuevas Ideas party participated, deputy Raúl Chamagua said that since Bukele assumed the presidency on June 1, 2019 “we have had more than 600 days without homicides, something unthinkable in the past.” . And 199 days without homicides so far this year. We will not return to those days of mourning, we will continue to extend this measure as many times as necessary,” he warned.
In its request, the council of ministers of the Bukele government maintained that, although it is true that the extraordinary measures have led to a reduction in crimes and the capture of more than 82,500 alleged gang members, it is necessary to extend the measure.
The state of emergency, in force since March 27, 2022 — a day after 62 homicides were recorded in a period of 24 hours — suspends fundamental rights such as being informed of the reasons for arrest or having access to a lawyer .
Under this regime, in addition, security forces can intervene in telecommunications without a court order and detention without a court hearing is prolonged from 72 hours to 15 days.
As part of the strategy to combat gangs, Congress also approved reforms to the Penal Code to make belonging to a gang a crime, which carries penalties of 20 to 40 years in prison. Ringleaders can receive sentences of up to 60 years.
The measure, temporary in nature, has been in force for more than two and a half years and has been questioned repeatedly by human rights organizations and activists, who have registered more than 6,000 complaints filed by the victims and say they have documented the death of 305 adults and four babies children of people deprived of liberty.
According to official figures, so far in 2024, 199 days have been reported without homicides and a considerable reduction in criminal violence in the country Central American country that in 2015 was considered one of the most violent countries in the world with 6,656 homicides.
The country closed 2023 with 214 homicides, including 38 deaths of alleged gang members in alleged confrontations with the authorities. So far this year the police have recorded 121 murders, 15% less than the 143 recorded in the same period the previous year.
At the current rate, El Salvador would close 2024 with 162 homicides, for a rate of 2.6 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants.
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