The country, which claims one of the world's highest murder rates, has experienced a new surge of violence because of a gang activity, which the country has failed to properly address despite the recent issue of 300 arrest warrants to crack down on organized crime.
Police and criminals in El Salvador have long been in conflict as following severe measures the government has taken to confront gangs. Former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani was invited to El Salvador in May to advise local law enforcement on tactics to decrease the crime rate. New York's crime rate experienced a dramatic decrease during Guiliani's tenure because of the implementation of a no-tolerance policy in the city.
#ICE ERO deports MS-13 gang member to face aggravated murder charges in El Salvador http://t.co/1nrdSRRrQt pic.twitter.com/irjSAQCZCA
— ICE (@ICEgov) August 28, 2015
Friday, local police reportedly found the body of a policeman, the 45th officer killed this year — along with sixteen soldiers and six prison guards — at the hands of criminals.
According to the government, last year saw 3,942 people slain, an increase of almost 37 percent compared to 2013.
Mass violence in Latin America is an issue for local police — the Brazilian city of Manaus recently experienced 35 people reportedly killed in two days in a war between drug lords.
