Weekly Report - 30 July 2020 (WR-20-30)

The recent arrest of former defence minister General David Munguía Payés over his alleged involvement in arranging a truce between El Salvador’s two main gangs, Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) and Barrio 18 (M-18), in 2012, which dramatically reduced homicides while it lasted, has again seen links between top officials and gangs subjected to scrutiny. It comes as suspicions persist regarding dealings between gangs and senior officials under the current administration led by President Nayib Bukele and scepticism regarding its claims of success vis-à-vis public security.