Central America

Security fences in El Salvador prevented gangs from regrouping

Photo: ABC

May 1 |

In addition to providing security to the population and putting criminals behind bars, the security fences implemented in El Salvador, specifically in Soyapango, Tutunichapa and La Granjita as phase 5 of the Territorial Control Plan (PCT), have prevented gangs from regrouping, according to Defense Minister René Merino Monroy.

“Through the military fences we have prevented the gangs from regrouping and thus guaranteeing the security of the population. Now we have given the population peace of mind, so that they can move around in peace,” said Merino Monroy.

The security fences are part of the PCT’s “Extraction” phase, which was launched in November of last year and aims to remove all gang members who continue to commit crimes in neighborhoods and colonias. The authorities carried out the same type of siege that was implemented in Comasagua, La Libertad, last year, where 2,000 soldiers and police were deployed in search of the murderers of a farm caretaker who was a victim of extortion. For the time being, these fences remain permanent in Soyapango and the communities of Tutunichapa and La Granjita in San Salvador.

“This phase has two elements, one is the extraction and the other is, based on what has been learned during the regime, to fence off large areas while the gang members are being extracted,” said the President of the Republic, Nayib Bukele during the launch of this phase.

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In December 2022, a contingent of 8,500 soldiers and 1,500 police officers were deployed in Soyapango to encircle the entire municipality. The Minister of Defense has detailed that so far more than 1,400 gang members have been captured in this area alone and this has led to a drastic reduction in homicides in the area. In addition, the authorities have recovered more than 1,000 homes that were usurped by gangs in neighborhoods such as La Campanera, Monte Blanco, Las Margaritas and the 22 de Abril community, among others, considered highly dangerous in Soyapango.

La Tutunichapa and La Granjita were also surrounded in December last year. More than 1,000 soldiers and 100 police were distributed in both communities in search of gang members. The presence of the security forces has led to a decrease in crime, including drug trafficking, as these areas were characterized by the retail sale of narcotics. To date there have been more than 350 arrests in both communities, according to the police; in addition, drug trafficking has been hit hard. In just the first two weeks after the fences were implemented, more than seven kilos of drugs, including cocaine, marijuana and crack, had been seized.

The security that now exists in these two communities has changed the lives of the inhabitants. New businesses have been established in the areas and institutions such as the Ministry of Public Works (MOP), the Ministry of Health, the Social Housing Fund, the Mortgage Bank and the Consumer Protection Agency have come forward to offer their services to the inhabitants. Even the Ministry of Agriculture has been holding “agromarkets”.

The implementation of the security fences together with the execution of the exception regime has allowed that in the last year the gangs have been dismantled, capturing more than 68,000 gang members, among them leaders and collaborators, in addition, 3,571 vehicles, 2,698 firearms and 16,437 cell phones have been seized from these structures.

These measures, which are focused on curbing criminal activity, have been viewed positively by the Salvadoran population. The security forces, deployed by the emergency regime and as part of the PCT, have been supported by Salvadorans. Providing food, giving a place to rest and verbally expressing gratitude are some of the actions with which the population expresses the work of soldiers and police.

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Central America

Panama grants Martinelli 72-hour extension to travel to Nicaragua

On Monday (March 31, 2025), Panama extended the safe-conduct pass for former President Ricardo Martinelli by three more days to allow him to travel to Nicaragua, after the Central American country refused to receive him due to concerns over an alleged Interpol arrest warrant.

“The National Government has decided to extend the validity of the safe-conduct pass for an additional seventy-two (72) hours, until the end of Thursday, April 3, 2025,” the Panamanian Foreign Ministry stated in a communiqué. The original permit was set to expire Monday at midnight (05:00 GMT on Tuesday).

The Foreign Ministry explained that regarding the ‘humanitarian asylum’ granted to Martinelli last Thursday, which was set to expire Monday at midnight, the Nicaraguan government requested clarifications about an apparent Interpol alert, which had already been dismissed as inadmissible.

Additionally, the Panamanian Supreme Court of Justice, as the highest authority of the Judicial Branch, stated on Monday that it had “no objections” to granting asylum and a safe-conduct to Martinelli, as it falls under the jurisdiction of the Executive Branch.

Central America

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary urges Mexico to strengthen Guatemala border

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem revealed on Monday that during last week’s meeting with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, she urged Mexico to reinforce its border with Guatemala and share biometric datawith U.S. authorities.

“I gave her a list of things that President Trump would love to see. And it was exceptional. It was supposed to be a half-hour meeting, but we talked for nearly two hours. It was very productive,” Noem said in an interview with Fox News.

The Homeland Security Secretary requested that Sheinbaum, who has already deployed 10,000 National Guard troopsalong Mexico’s northern border with the U.S., also secure Mexico’s southern border with Guatemala.

Noem added that she also asked the Mexican president to share biometric data with the U.S., to which Sheinbaum responded that she was “willing to discuss it,” although she acknowledged that it could be a controversial issue in her country.

Central America

Panama police clarifies that Interpol alert for Martinelli is still pending

Panama’s National Police clarified on Sunday that an Interpol alert request for former President Ricardo Martinelli (2009-2014) is still under review and has yet to be confirmed. Martinelli was granted a safe-conduct pass last Thursday to leave the Nicaraguan embassy, where he has been seeking asylum since February 2024 after being convicted of corruption.

“The National Police clarifies that there is currently an active process for an Interpol alert, requested by Judge Baloisa Marquínez, against former President Ricardo Martinelli. This request must be analyzed by Interpol’s General Secretariat (headquartered in France) for approval or rejection. If approved, it will be notified to member countries,” the police stated in a press release sent to EFE.

According to the statement, “at the moment, it remains an ongoing procedure, and former President Martinelli does not have a confirmed alert.”

The announcement came hours after National Police Director Jaime Fernández had told the press that an “Interpol alert” for Martinelli had been received on Friday.