El Salvador detains three men for threatening phone sellers with rifle in Usulután

El Salvador's Ministry of Public Security and Justice announced the capture of three men in the department of Usulután who allegedly threatened mobile‑phone vendors with a rifle and forced them to abandon their stalls. Identified by the initials K.A.P.C., M.A.M.S. and M.R.G.M., the suspects were apprehended after an investigation by the National Civil Police and presented on social media by Minister Gustavo Villatoro. Authorities reported that the men warned sellers they could not remain in the area and threatened to seize their merchandise if they continued operating.

The arrests are part of a broader security operation under the country's state of emergency, which has been in effect since March 2022 to combat gang activity. Officials said more than 90,000 individuals accused of gang affiliation have been detained under the measure, though human‑rights groups have raised concerns about due process. The three detainees will appear before courts in the coming days while investigations continue.