El Salvador Gang Violence
The gangs are mostly composed of members of the same street gang, MS-13. So far, 2017 has seen 811 homicides in the country – a 38 percent increase from 2016. The violence has been concentrated in the capital, San Salvador, and around the city of Santa Tecla. In the span of a few days, 76 people have been killed in El Salvador due to gang violence. The recent surge in violence stems from a power struggle within the country’s most powerful gang, Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13). The violence has left communities traumatized, and schools closed as a result. The El Salvador government has appealed to the United States for help in tackling the problem.
El Salvador Gang Violence Victim & Suspect Name
The government is appealing to the public for information on anyone who may have been involved in the killings. El Salvador, one of the most violent countries in the world, has been plagued by a cycle of social unrest and gang violence for years. As the country gears up for a presidential election in May, a wave of violence has gripped El Salvador, leaving 76 people dead and more than 200 injured in the past two weekends. The majority of victims have been young men, mainly between the ages of 16 and 30. Security forces say the gangs are fighting for control of lucrative drug trafficking routes. As the weekend wave of violence in El Salvador continues, authorities are warning the public to stay alert and avoid areas where gang fights are taking place. The majority of the victims have been members of the Barrio 18 gang, which is believed to be behind the violence. Police have been deployed to areas where gang violence is occurring, and are urging residents to stay indoors and avoid areas where there is tension.
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