Back

Weekly Report - 16 February 2017 (WR-17-06)

EL SALVADOR: War on mara gangs extended

The ‘extraordinary measures’ to combat El Salvador’s mara street gangs rolled out by the government led by President Salvador Sánchez Cerén last April will be extended until April 2018. There was cross-party backing in the legislative assembly for the extension, which also won support from the Catholic Church and even the human-rights ombudsman. The government has attributed a dramatic fall in violent homicides to the measures but there is serious concern from some social organisations, and among international observers, that a planned strategic shift to enlist the support of local communities against the mara gangs could lead to heightened violence and an increase in human-rights violations.

End of preview - This article contains approximately 938 words.

Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article

Not a Subscriber?

Choose from one of the following options

LatinNews
Intelligence Research Ltd.
167-169 Great Portland Street,
5th floor,
London, W1W 5PF - UK
Phone : +44 (0) 203 695 2790
Contact
You may contact us via our online contact form
Copyright © 2022 Intelligence Research Ltd. All rights reserved.