El Salvador Deploys Massive Security Operation to Capture Gang Members

President Nayib Bukele has intensified efforts to dismantle gangs with a large-scale military and police presence in San Salvador.

Over 2,000 soldiers and 500 police officers have surrounded a neighborhood in San Salvador to target gang remnants.
This operation is part of President Bukele's ongoing crackdown on gangs, initiated after a surge in violence in March 2022.
The government has implemented a state of emergency, allowing for arrests without court orders, which has led to the detention of around 83,000 suspected gang members.
Human rights groups have criticized the measures, citing concerns over prison conditions and potential wrongful arrests.
Despite criticisms, the crackdown has resulted in a significant reduction in homicides and garnered widespread support from Salvadorans.