Records from the Office of the Attorney General of El Salvador (FGR) show that under the state of exception, 89,875 gang members from various criminal organizations have been arrested, of which 91.3% (82,078) are currently in the preliminary trial stage before the courts specialized in organized crime. The FGR anticipates favorable rulings with maximum sentences for all convicted criminals.

During a recent visit to the Legislative Assembly, Attorney General Rodolfo Delgado provided details about the work carried out under the state of exception. A dedicated team of 291 legal professionals has been assigned to these cases, including office chiefs, coordinators, assistant prosecutors, and legal collaborators.

“The team working on state-of-exception cases includes 291 professionals, plus personnel from the Telecommunications Intervention Center and supervisory staff, representing roughly 30% of the FGR’s total prosecutorial workforce,” Delgado explained.

The prosecutors have prepared 590 criminal cases with formal charges:

• 299 cases against Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) members

• 281 cases against the 18th Street gang

• 3 cases against Mao Mao

• 5 cases against Mara Máquina

• 2 cases against Mirada Loca

The Attorney General emphasized that the investigation and prosecution of 89,875 gang members is unprecedented in the country’s history. “Over the next two years, we expect to gradually reduce the number of defendants in the preliminary trial stage and move them toward final convictions,” he said.

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Delgado also highlighted the work of the Analysis Section, which has processed 25,412 pieces of evidence, of which 19,658 are related to the state-of-exception cases, while the remaining 5,754 belong to other cases, reflecting the unit’s dual role in defending the interests of both the state and society.

During the presentation of the 2026 budget for the Ministries of Security and Defense before the Legislative Assembly, Security Minister Gustavo Villatoro and Defense Minister René Francis Merino Monroy highlighted key achievements from the 2025 budget, including the seizure of 24.35 tons of drugs, with an estimated street value of $604,552,232.50.

“Just as we have achieved historic results in reducing homicide rates, addressing impunity, and removing serial killers from the streets, 2025 has also been a successful year in terms of drug seizures. We confiscated more than 24 tons of drugs, causing these criminal organizations economic losses exceeding $604 million,” said Minister Villatoro.

Of the seized drugs, between January 1 and October 16, 2025:

• 24 tons of cocaine, valued at over $603 million

• 348 kilograms of marijuana, valued at more than $1 million

• 1.89 kilograms of methamphetamine, worth over $65,000

• 424 grams of crack, valued at $10,683

• 230 grams of hashish, worth over $8,000

“As you know, we have maintained a strong and consistent approach against drug trafficking. Previously, a terrorist organization controlled almost 85% of the territory, basing much of its criminal activity on monopolizing the world’s cheapest drugs, causing death and mourning for thousands of Salvadoran families,” Villatoro added.

The minister emphasized that the fight against drug trafficking would not be possible without the efforts of the National Navy.

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U.S. and Panamanian security forces carried out joint exercises in Panama’s jungle on Wednesday, focusing on the exchange of specialized knowledge as part of renewed bilateral cooperation in security and defense, according to official statements.

Joint operations between the two nations—Panama, which has had no standing army since 1990, and the United States—have been frequent since the 1989 U.S. invasion. The latest drills come after both countries renewed their security cooperation last April through a memorandum of understanding, which initially sparked some controversy in Panama due to provisions allowing greater temporary and rotational U.S. military presence.

The exercises also coincide with an unprecedented U.S. military deployment in the Caribbean, part of Washington’s expanded anti-narcotics campaign, which it links to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s government—currently the target of a $50 million U.S. reward offer.

“We are simply focused on creating mutual understanding and shared experiences that can be beneficial for both countries, Panama and the United States,” said U.S. Colonel Ada Cotton during a press briefing.

The U.S. contingent, composed of Marines and an Army officer, participated at the invitation of the Panamanian government, which, according to Cotton, “has clearly defined what we can and cannot do” during the training exercises.

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