El Salvador extends emergency security regime while MS‑13 leaders face trial

El Salvador's Legislative Assembly approved a new extension of the country's regime of exception, a set of extraordinary security measures. Authorities highlight the capture of more than 92,480 individuals linked to gang structures, a reduction in homicide rates to 1.3 per 100,000 inhabitants, and over 1,136 days without homicide deaths. The decree maintains restrictions on certain constitutional rights to sustain public‑security operations and notes continued international cooperation, including deportations from the United States, Mexico, Costa Rica and Guatemala.

At the same time, El Salvador's courts are hearing the closing arguments in a case against 486 alleged MS‑13 leaders. Prosecutors allege the gang ordered roughly 118 homicides between 2012 and 2022, targeting police, military and other public officials, with a total of 138 deaths linked to the organization. The trial also involves members of the rival Barrio 18 gang and a range of collaborators detained under the emergency regime.