El Salvador: 4,000 Security Forces Comb 3 Communities to Capture Gang Members

To tackle the growing issue of gang-related crime, El Salvador dispatched more than 4,000 security personnel to three communities located on the periphery of the capital on Wednesday, AP reports.

This decisive action comes as President Nayib Bukele contemplates seeking an extension of emergency powers to address the crime problem.

President Bukele announced this pre-dawn operation via a well-produced video shared on the X platform.

In the operation, soldiers and police officers were deployed to encircle the densely populated communities of Popotlan, Valle Verde, and La Campanera, which are situated near San Salvador, the nation's capital.

In the video message, President Bukele expressed the government's unwavering commitment to eradicating criminal elements, stating, "We are not going to stop until we capture the last terrorist that remains."

The term "terrorist" is commonly used to describe individuals associated with criminal gangs, often implicated in activities such as drug trafficking, extortion, and protection rackets.

Bukele emphasized that the government will not allow these remnants of criminal groups to regroup and jeopardize the hard-earned peace in the country.

El Salvador Gang Crackdown

The recent crackdown on gang activities in El Salvador has paved the way for a resurgence of normalcy in public spaces within Salvadoran communities, which had previously been held under the influence of criminal gangs, ABC News noted.

However, critics argue that these arrests have been executed without proper due process, leading to the apprehension of numerous innocent individuals.

Under the umbrella of emergency powers, certain constitutional rights have been suspended, including the right to be informed about the reason for one's arrest and the right to access legal representation.

While these security measures have gained significant popularity among the Salvadoran populace, they have sparked substantial criticism from international human rights organizations and certain foreign governments.

Over the past eighteen months, security forces have conducted similar operations as part of their ongoing efforts.

These operations typically involve setting up checkpoints at community entrances, where drivers are stopped, questioned, and their vehicles inspected.

Simultaneously, other security personnel conduct door-to-door searches to identify and apprehend El Salvador gang members.

El Salvador President Nayib Bukele's War Against Gangs

President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador extended the state of emergency to maintain public safety, which was initially imposed in March 2022, per France 24.

Under this emergency declaration, tens of thousands of alleged gang members have been apprehended. This approach has garnered popularity among residents but raised concerns among human rights organizations.

The operation involved soldiers securing entry points to these neighborhoods, preventing potential escape routes, while police officers conducted house-to-house visits, requesting identity documents and, in some cases, rental contracts.

The identification of gang members often hinges on tattoos, official identification, or tip-offs from residents familiar with their community presence.

Elaborating on the operation, Defense Minister Rene Francis Merino stated that it was a response to community concerns indicating a resurgence of gang activities.

President Nayib Bukele echoed this sentiment, vowing to continue the effort until the last remaining El Salvador gang member is apprehended to preserve the hard-fought peace in the region.

The state of emergency, which allows for arrests without a warrant, was originally imposed after a particularly violent weekend in March 2022, during which gang-related incidents resulted in the deaths of 87 civilians.

Since then, approximately 73,000 individuals suspected of gang affiliation have been arrested, with over 7,000 subsequently released.

This recent anti-gang operation coincides with a request to Congress to extend the state of emergency.

Notably, President Bukele inaugurated a mega-prison in February, considered the largest in the Americas, with a capacity of 40,000 inmates, situated in Tecoluca.

El Salvador President Nayib Bukele, a prominent and controversial figure, is expected to seek re-election in February 2024.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Inside El Salvador's gang crackdown - From BBC News