Thousands Arrested in El Salvador After Historic Crime Wave and Gang Killings

Members of the MS-13 and Barrio 18 gangs remain inside their cells at the maximum security prison in Izalco, Sonsonate, El Salvador, on Sept. 4, 2020. Yuri Cortez/AFP via Getty Images

Two of the most violent days in El Salvador’s recent history took place on March 25 and 26, when warring criminal gangs killed 76 people in the Central American nation.

Since then, more than 2,000 crime syndicate members have been arrested after Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele declared a state of emergency that was granted by congress on March 27.