El Salvador troops focus on large-scale operations against gangs

San Salvador (AFP) – About 2,500 soldiers and police surrounded a neighborhood on the outskirts of El Salvador’s capital on Monday in a high-profile operation as part of President Nayib Bukele’s crackdown on gangs.

Published on: 28/10/2024 – 19:26Altered: 28/10/2024 – 19:24

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A photo released by El Salvador's presidency shows soldiers preparing to take part in an operation to arrest suspected gang members — A photo released by El Salvador’s presidency shows soldiers preparing to take part in an operation to arrest suspected gang members © Handout / PRESS OFFICE/AFP OF THE PRESIDENCY OF EL SALVADOR

Bukele said on social media that the aim was to extract “every last” of the suspected gang members believed to be hiding in the 10 de Octubre area of San Salvador.

Defense Minister Rene Francis Merino said there are “indications that these criminals want to establish themselves in the area.”

Footage released by the government shows soldiers gathering for the operation and heavily armed police patrolling the neighborhood and checking identity documents.

A photo released by El Salvador's presidency shows police officers taking part in an operation to arrest suspected gang members — A photo released by El Salvador’s presidency shows police officers taking part in an operation to arrest suspected gang members © Handout / PRESS OFFICE/AFP OF THE PRESIDENCY OF EL SALVADOR

According to Minister of Justice and Security Gustavo Villatoro, the operation aimed to “further destroy the criminal economy”.

El Salvador has been under a state of emergency since March 2022 as part of Bukele’s controversial ‘war’ against gangsters.

About 83,000 suspected gang members have been detained under the measures, which allow warrantless arrests.

The crackdown has led to a sharp drop in homicides and has been praised by many Salvadorans, although rights groups have criticized Bukele’s methods.