In an article written by: by Alex Papadovassilakis In March 2022, El Salvador’s government, led by President Nayib Bukele, launched an unprecedented security crackdown against the country’s main gangs: MS13, Barrio 18 Revolucionarios, and Barrio Sureños. Declaring a state of emergency, the campaign led to the arrest of over 77,000 people, significantly weakening the gangs’ structures. Despite human rights concerns and extended emergency measures, the crackdown has reduced violence and disrupted gang activities.

InSight Crime’s investigation, involving interviews and analysis of confidential reports, revealed the diminished state of gang operations and lack of coordinated response to the crackdown. While gang members are now in hiding or refraining from crime abroad, the state of emergency’s extreme legal measures have raised questions about long-term sustainability and the neglect of underlying social issues fueling gang violence. The investigation suggests that, although weakened, a portion of gang membership remains active, leaving the possibility of future resurgence.