El Salvador's President Deploys 3,000 Security Personnel to Combat Gangs in Apopa

In a decisive move to combat gang violence, El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele has deployed 3,000 security personnel to create a security fence around five neighborhoods in Apopa, a city located 13 kilometers north of the capital, San Salvador. The operation, which began on May 25, 2024, involves 2,000 soldiers and 1,000 police officers and aims to curb the influence of criminal gangs, particularly Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) and Barrio 18.

President Bukele announced the deployment on social network X, stating, *"After several citizen complaints, we have just installed a security fence in the Tikal 1, 2 and 3, Valle del Sol and La Chintuc, in Apopa"*. The operation has already led to the arrest of four gang members from Barrio 18, according to the police.

Why this matters: This deployment of security personnel in El Salvador has significant implications for the country's efforts to combat gang violence and restore public security. The success or failure of this operation could have far-reaching consequences for the government's ability to maintain order and protect its citizens.

The neighborhoods targeted by the security operation—Tikal 1, 2, and 3, Valle del Sol, and La Chintuc—are known hotspots for gang activity. Security personnel, armed with rifles and wearing bulletproof vests, have set up vehicle checkpoints at the entrances of streets and alleys to control access and prevent gang members from escaping.

This deployment is part of an ongoing offensive against gangs that President Bukele declared on March 27, 2022, following a surge of 87 homicides in one weekend. Since the start of this offensive, over 80,000 suspected gang members have been arrested under an emergency regime that allows for arrests without a court order.

While this crackdown has significantly improved public security and bolstered Bukele's popularity, it has also drawn criticism from human rights groups. These organizations argue that the emergency measures have led to the detention of many innocent people and could perpetuate a human rights crisis in the country.

The city of Apopa, with a population of 131,000, has long been a battleground for gang violence. The current operation aims to restore peace and security to the residents who have been living under the constant threat of gang extortion and violence.

As the situation in El Salvador continues to evolve, the effectiveness of these measures will be closely watched. The government's commitment to combat gang violence remains strong, but balancing security and human rights will be a critical challenge.

Key Takeaways

• El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele deploys 3,000 security personnel to create a security fence around 5 neighborhoods in Apopa.
• The operation aims to curb gang violence, particularly from MS-13 and Barrio 18, and has already led to 4 arrests.
• The targeted neighborhoods are known hotspots for gang activity and will have vehicle checkpoints to control access.
• This deployment is part of an ongoing offensive against gangs, which has seen over 80,000 suspected gang members arrested since March 2022.
• The operation's effectiveness will be closely watched, with concerns about balancing security and human rights.