National Civil Police reported total of 1,419 homicides 1 Jan-21 May 2018, 111 more than same period in 2017, including increased cases of gender-based violence; Legislative Assembly late May proposed reform to increase jail sentences for femicides. Anti-extortion operation 28-30 May led to arrest of 247 suspected gang members. Attorney General Douglas Meléndez 8 June ordered arrest for alleged embezzlement scheme of former President Funes as well as 29 others, including relatives and former officials in his administration. Funes’s former wife and Secretary of Social Inclusion Vanda Pignato arrested 12 June for alleged corruption. Govt 18 June published statement condemning U.S.’s increasingly hostile anti-immigration policies that have led to separation of Salvadoran families at U.S. southern border. U.S. President Trump 23 June announced he was considering withdrawing foreign aid from countries from which Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) gang members originate.

Govt confirmed further increase in violence in first months of 2018, with homicides up 10% on 2017. Attorney General Douglas Meléndez 10 May noted existence of new gang violence in northern San Salvador, in centre of country, and expansion of gang violence in many municipalities prioritised under “Safe El Salvador” govt violence prevention program. In 15 May media interview, two heads of MS-13 gang highlighted new call by three largest gangs for new truce with govt. Gender-based violence also increased; Ministry of Justice and Public Security announced 17% increase in femicides in 2018, totalling 165 as of 15 May. Govt 3 May approved initiative presented by women’s rights groups to combat gender violence. Minister of Justice 26 April acknowledged police and armed forces’ involvement in causing insecurity and forced displacement. Seven police officers sent to trial 7 May for killing four people; thirteen police officers convicted of crimes including extortion, murder and sexual harassment. Former President Saca and six members of his govt 16 May sent to trial for money laundering. FMLN ruling party chose FM Hugo Martínez as its presidential candidate for 2019 elections.

Trend of rising homicide rates continued throughout April, despite govt rhetoric linking alleged improvements in security situation to implementation of controversial “extraordinary measures” in place since 2016 that isolate gang members in jails. Police chief Howard Cotto 2 April announced 939 murders between Jan and March, equal to 10.4 homicides a day, explicitly linking rise to “extraordinary measures”; parliament 6 April voted to extend measures for another six months. Police 12 April announced increase in gang attacks against security forces early 2018. UN Human Rights Committee 5 April pointed to existence of “death squads” inside El Salvador’s armed forces, warning that large number of abuses remain unpunished. Businessman Carlos Calleja was elected presidential candidate of conservative ARENA party 22 April.

Ruling Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front (FMLN) performed poorly in 4 March legislative and local elections with worst electoral result since 2003, securing only 23 lawmakers. Opposition parties gained control in twelve out of fourteen regional capitals. National Civil Police 2 March announced 25% year-on-year increase in homicides in Jan and Feb. Security forces 1 March unearthed fifteen bodies in clandestine grave in La Paz department attributed to gang killings. Police 16 March launched “Operación Libertad” to dismantle MS-13 gang’s finances. Death of MS-503 spokesman in Mexico City 1 March provided new evidence of expansion of gangs to Mexico.

Debate about future of “extraordinary measures” against gangs and recommendations of UN special rapporteur on extrajudicial executions dominated security debate during month. Following two-week tour, UN Special Rapporteur Agnes Callamard 5 Feb issued report noting extrajudicial killings and excessive use of force against gang members by security officers, condemning “deplorable conditions” of Salvadoran jails and calling for end to “extraordinary measures” in specific jails. Ruling party FMLN and Nationalist Republic Alliance ARENA 6 Feb expressed disagreement and defended extension of March 2016 “extraordinary measures” plan; attorney general argued it helped reduce mobile communications from inside jails by 97%. Local court 9 Feb condemned six police officers for killing alleged gang members. Responding to concerns about excessive use of force by police, govt 14 Feb launched new elite police unit Specialized Police Tactical Unit (UTEP) and disbanded Rapid Reaction Groups (GRP), previously accused of extrajudicial actions, extortion and sexual abuse. UTEP same day launched third massive operation “Operación Cuscatlán” to dismantle MS-13 gang’s finances. Special court 1 Feb issued unprecedented prison sentence against former mayor for illicit association with Barrio 18 street gang. Country preparing for legislative and local elections to be held 4 March.

In annual evaluation of violence 2 Jan, police chief reported 25% reduction in homicides (totalling 3,954) in 2017 compared with 2016, covering nearly all regions; however violence reportedly increased in previously more stable northern municipalities, possibly pointing to rapid expansion by gangs in new areas. Relatively peaceful first half of year followed gangs’ Jan 2017 offer to disband and begin new dialogue process; spike in homicides in Sept and Oct coincided with tough security operations and jail transfers of gang leaders. Security minister 25 Jan advocated extension until 2019 of “extraordinary measures of security” plan approved in March 2016 reinforcing confinement conditions of gang leaders in jail. U.S. 8 Jan announced cancellation of Temporary Protection Status (TPS) for 195,000 Salvadorans in U.S. by Sept 2019, citing improved conditions in El Salvador, in significant setback for ruling FMLN govt ahead of local and legislative elections 4 March; observers fear it could undermine country’s security over long term. Supreme Court 8 Jan announced former President Antonio Saca to stand preliminary hearing for embezzlement of public funds 28 Feb. Legislative Assembly 5 Jan approved 2018 budget with $17.5mn less for security than previous year.

Nine people killed in two separate massacres in west 17-18 Dec, including military officer; these and other killings resulted in nearly 35% increase in homicides compared with previous month according to police figures. Ahead of local and legislative elections scheduled for March, potential disruption of polls by gangs in spotlight again after attorney general 21 Nov declared that govt officials had been in communication with gangs; Minister of Justice and Public Security denied. Govt 19 Dec finally recognised existence of forced displacement in El Salvador; Minister Landaverde announced govt preparing protection protocols for victims. Followed 13 Dec report by attorney general for human rights which counted 138 cases affecting 458 victims 2016-2017, declaring “national problem”. Official data 23 Nov showed number of gang members deported back to El Salvador had increased by 102% in 2017 from previous year, with over 1,000 arriving over past eleven months.

In response to growing homicides rates and surge in deaths of police officers, legislative assembly 1-15 Nov approved special ruling and penal code reforms to increase punishments for killing and intimidation of public officials; defence ministry 1 Nov deployed over 100 soldiers in west to support fight against criminal groups. Official homicide figures showed 452 for Oct, up on 435 for Sept. Newspaper La Prensa Gráfica 17 Nov reported controversial deal between govt and MS-13 gang leaders to reduce homicides in exchange for better conditions in jails; govt officials 18 Nov denied allegations. After two-day visit to El Salvador, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein 17 Nov questioned lack of spending on violence prevention.

Violence remained high, including at least 53 homicides reported 14-15 Oct, allegedly related to gang response to 12 Oct transfer of five recently captured gang leaders to maximum security prison operating under highly restrictive “extraordinary measures”. Prison chief 14 Oct said some of these measures in prisons might become permanent. Prosecutor’s office 2 Oct announced major overhaul of high-level positions, including downgrading former chief of anti-corruption unit who was leading cases against ex-Presidents Antonio Saca and Mauricio Funes. National commission 24 Oct discussed country’s deteriorating security situation and agreed to focus efforts on territorial recovery. U.S. attorney general 24 Oct declared that prosecuting MS-13 gang was a “priority” for Trump administration.

Spate of 40 murders on 23 Sept marked highest daily death toll of 2017; police blamed killings on fighting between criminal gangs. Authorities reported almost 200 people killed 21-28 Sept, including three police and two military personnel. Govt announced special measures and stronger military presence in capital in response to recent wave of police killings; new measures include faster trials, isolation in high security prisons, aid for families affected. Online magazine Factum late Aug published investigation detailing activities by alleged death squads inside police, suspected of killings, sexual abuse and extortion. Religious and academic institutions 5 Sept briefed Inter American Commission on Human Rights (CIDH) and officials in Mexico City on allegations of excessive use of force by security forces. One CIDH commissioner said figures on clashes between police and gangs hid “many extrajudicial killings”; govt denied. Two law enforcement operations made gains against MS-13 gang: police 7 Sept carried out Operación Tecana detaining around 100 including six police; attorney general’s offices from three Northern Triangle countries 12 Sept carried out simultaneous operations against MS-13, several hundred detained. U.S. President Trump’s 5 Sept announcement that policy deferring deportation of children of undocumented migrants will end early 2018 prompted concerns over impact on humanitarian situation.