El Salvador reports significant homicide reduction amid security measures

El Salvador has seen a 98 percent reduction in homicides between 2019 and 2025, according to official statistics. In October 2024, the country recorded four homicides, averaging 0.1 deaths per day, a sharp contrast to October 2018 when 239 murders were reported.

The Salvadoran government attributes this decline to security measures, including the state of exception implemented in March 2022, which expanded the powers of security forces. Key strategies included the Plan Control Territorial and the mandatory blocking of all telecommunications signals within prisons to prevent criminal coordination.

Despite the overall decline, local incidents continue. In Izalco, Sonsonate Este, a man died following a stone attack by two individuals on October 29. The National Civil Police arrested two suspects, identified as Óscar Corado and Eduardo Hernández, as investigations into the motive continue.