El Salvador President Nayib Bukele's heavy-handed crackdown on violent street gangs like the notorious MS-13 has lifted some rights among its citizens, which led to over a thousand documented human rights abuses.

Despite this, the gang crackdown remains popular in the Central American country. Because of his tough stance against the violent street gangs that have been rampant in El Salvador for decades, Bukele's popularity ratings have also soared.

He was given emergency powers by the country's legislature when he declared a public emergency nine months ago after a series of deaths from the actions of MS-13 members.

Last March 26, gang violence reached its peak in El Salvador, killing 62 people in just one day. That resulted in Bukele asking Congress to grant him emergency powers, which they did.

According to ABC News, the country's two biggest gangs, namely Barrio-18 and MS-13, have already extorted nearly everyone in the country, and there has been violent retribution for those who do not pay.

Earlier this year, Bukele besieged several gang-controlled towns, mostly strongholds of the two biggest gangs. Members of the police and military went door-to-door and arrested alleged gang members.

READ NEXT: El Salvador: 10,000 Troops Surround Gang-Run Town as Nayib Bukele Intensifies Gang Crackdown

Human Rights Abuses Due to El Salvador President Nayib Bukele's Crackdown of Violent Street Gangs

The extraordinary powers granted to Nayib Bukele by Congress suspended several rights in the country, including the right of association, the right to be informed of the reason for an arrest, and access to a lawyer. 

It also allowed the government to intervene in telephone calls and intercept mail from any suspected gang member. People can also be held without charges, and this has been extended from three days to 15 days.

Because these rights were lifted, it has led to the arrest of over 60,000 people. Human rights activists said many of those arrested after being suspected as gang members are innocent.

The country's human rights official, Raquel Caballero, told the Associated Press that around 2,100 of those arrested were found to have no ties with various El Salvadoran street gangs and have already been released.

Authorities reportedly often have prejudices in their arrests and have targeted young men due to their age, appearance, and whether or not they live in a gang-dominated slum.

For his part, Bukele said he does not care what international organizations are saying, adding, "They can come and take the gang members. If they want them, we will give them all of them."

Nayib Bukele Cracks Down on Gangs in El Salvador During Christmas

DW reported that on Christmas eve, El Salvador continued its gang crackdown, launching a military operation in a San Salvador neighborhood called Tutunichapa.

Around 1,000 soldiers and 130 police officers were deployed, surrounding the gang-controlled neighborhood. 

At least six suspects were apprehended, with Bukele announcing that authorities found firearms, over $10,000 in cash, and drugs like marijuana and crack cocaine.

READ MORE: El Salvador: Military and Police Surround Town to Root Out MS-13 Gang Members

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

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