US, NEW YORK (ORDO News) — A confidential intelligence document from El Salvador’s National Civil Police reveals that nearly 43,000 people allegedly connected to gangs have yet to be detained despite a year and a half of a government crackdown. The document, dated September 1, 2023, and titled “State of Gangs in the Context of the State of Exception,” highlights that 42,826 individuals, or 36% of those believed to be tied to gangs, remain at large, with over 20,000 considered active gang members.
This report has raised concerns about the ongoing crackdown’s duration, the accuracy of the government’s calculations regarding Salvadorans associated with criminal groups, and the connection between the more than 70,000 people in custody and these groups. Critics argue that the government is attempting to maintain a narrative of having defeated gangs while justifying ongoing human rights violations.
In March of the previous year, President Nayib Bukele had requested a “state of exception” from the country’s congress, suspending several constitutional rights to apprehend alleged criminals. Since then, security forces have arrested over 72,000 suspected gang members and associates, leading to the world‘s highest incarceration rate.
While the crackdown has seen a significant reduction in homicides, extortion, and drug-related crimes, it has also been criticized for widespread abuses, including torture, deaths in custody, and arbitrary detentions, particularly affecting young men in impoverished neighborhoods.
The leaked police report provides valuable insights into the government’s policies, but the presidency declined to comment. The crackdown has enjoyed popular support among Salvadorans tired of prolonged gang violence, but it has also sparked concerns over human rights abuses.
The report also questions the status of those detained, categorizing them as active members, aspiring members, or collaborators. It reveals that only 1,230 detainees are considered gang leaders, while the majority fall into the “collaborators” category, indicating they assist but are not members of the gang.
Critics argue that the report may indicate greater collateral damage than the government acknowledges. They question why thousands of individuals are detained for extended periods without prior evidence or warrants. The government has released 7,000 detainees it deemed innocent, but over 70,000 remain incarcerated, raising concerns about due process during mass trials involving hundreds of individuals at a time in the coming months.
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