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A unit of the Special Police Force of El Salvador (Sección Táctica Operativa - STO) conducts a house search in order to catch gang members and verify that the people living in the house are the proper tenants in t

A unit of the Special Police Force of El Salvador (Sección Táctica Operativa - STO) conducts a house search in order to catch gang members and verify that the people living in the house are the proper tenants in the 22 de Abril community which is a area controlled by the Mar Salvatrucha - MS13 gang. This is part of the war on gangs under the a state of emergency declared by President Nayib Bukele

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A mother holds her baby as her husband was a victim of arbitrary arrest under the State of Exception, she stands outside La Esperanza prison, also known as “Mariona” late at night, because they believed their love

A mother holds her baby as her husband was a victim of arbitrary arrest under the State of Exception, she stands outside La Esperanza prison, also known as “Mariona” late at night, because they believed their loved ones will be transferred to the new CECOT (Centro de Confinamiento del Terrorismo) - Terrorism Confinement Center, which is a mega prison, it has the capacity to house 40 thousands inmates and is the largest in Latin America located in Tecoluca, San Vicente. This is part of the Territorial Control Plan from President Bukele to fight the gangs. The civil society as well as national and international human rights organizations have criticized for lack of due process and the use of torture against detainees.to demand the release of all innocent victims in prison under the State of Exception place a year ago.

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This set of clothes which is the outfit of detainees use inside the prisons, belonged to someone who was released from the detention center, popularly known as “El Penalito”, a minutes before this

Set of clothes which is the outfit of detainees use inside the prisons, belonged to someone who was released from the detention center, popularly known as “El Penalito”, a minutes before this image was made. The person was a victim of the “arbitrary arrests” under the State of Exception placed in April of 2021 by President Nayib Bukele as part of the ongoing war on gangs, more than 60 thousand persons have been prisoned.

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Salvadoran forces patrolling the 22 de Abril community which is a area controlled by the Mar Salvatrucha - MS13 gang. This is part of the war on gangs under the a state of emergency declared by President Nayib Buk

Salvadoran forces patrolling the 22 de Abril community which is a area controlled by the Mar Salvatrucha - MS13 gang. This is part of the war on gangs under the a state of emergency declared by President Nayib Bukele

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Las Margaritas community historically controlled by the Mara Salvatrucha - MS13 gang and is now under military and police control, as part of the war on gangs under the a state of emergency declared by President N
Gerardo Barrios plaza in the historic downtown San Salvador, it has been one of Bukele’s major accomplishments during his period as Mayor and now as president, the transformation of this area and now free of gang activity, in the background the National Palace.

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Funeral of Marta Liseth Alas Gonzalez a PNC (Police Nacional Civil) police officer who died in the line of duty along with two other college when they were ambushed by ganga members during a 911 response. This happen

Funeral of Marta Liseth Alas Gonzalez a PNC (Police Nacional Civil) police officer who died in the line of duty along with two other college when they were ambushed by ganga members during a 911 response. This happened while the country is under a State of Exception placed by President Nayib Bukele in order to fight the gangs.

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Prison guards performing drills inside the new CECOT (Centro de Confinamiento del Terrorismo) - Terrorism Confinement Center, which is a mega prison, it has the capacity to house 40 thousands inmates and is the large

Prison guards performing drills inside the new CECOT (Centro de Confinamiento del Terrorismo) - Terrorism Confinement Center, which is a mega prison, it has the capacity to house 40 thousands inmates and is the largest in Latin America located in Tecoluca, San Vicente. This is part of the Territorial Control Plan from President Bukele to fight the gangs. Since the begining of the “State of Exception” on April of this year more than 60 thousands persons have been prisoned.

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The graffiti read “ FUCK (or to HELL) BUKELE” on a on an unmarked urban bus stop. The discounted with President Nayib Bukele is rising as he is about to end his presidency and de to the failed Bitcoin law and the

The graffiti read “ FUCK (or to HELL) BUKELE” on a on an unmarked urban bus stop. The discounted with President Nayib Bukele is rising as he is about to end his presidency and de to the failed Bitcoin law and the mistakes made under the State of Exception.

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Central America - El Salvador, capital city San Salvador: The photo of Jose Ismael Sanchez Giron, 18 yrs old is being held by his mother. He was a victim of arbitrary arrest while attending a protest against the government of President Nayib Bukele to dem
A young man is being questioned about the content of his phone at a check-point at the entrance of La Campanera community located in the city of Soyapango. La Campanera is a stronghold of the Barrio 18 Sureños gang, but now under military surveillance. Now it is considered gang free under the 5th stage of the Territorial Control Plan of Bukele’s war on gangs, called “EXTRACTION” it consist of encircling the city with a military and police and doing a deep search for gang members.
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President Nayib Bukele (wearing the white hat with the Ralph Lauren Polo Logo) greets members of his cabinet, residents and supporters as he arrives to the inauguration of a youth community center known as “CUBOS

President Nayib Bukele (wearing the white hat with the Ralph Lauren Polo Logo) greets members of his cabinet, residents and supporters as he arrives to the inauguration of a youth community center known as “CUBOS (CUBES), financed by the United Nations and the European Union, located in Mejicanos a district affected by the gang violence.

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Family members of victims of arbitrary arrest under the State of Exception try to see the inmates who are on the bus, they have gathered late at night because they believed their loved ones will be transferred to
 Families delivering food and hygiene packages at the Izalco Penitentiary, hundred of Salvadorans have been victims of arbitrary arrest, specially young men, their families are left with the burden of having to to spend money on packages to their loved ones, this causes financial distress on low income families
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Part of the Territorial Control Plan of President Bukele is to use the military to combat the gangs and provide security to the population. Many bus routes are guarded with soldiers.

Part of the Territorial Control Plan of President Bukele is to use the military to combat the gangs and provide security to the population. Many bus routes are guarded with soldiers.

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A young boy plays as he marches with his grandmother and sister, he is wearing a sigh on the shirt which reads: “FREE MY DAD, NO TO IMPUNITY”, his father was a victim of the arbitrary arrest under

A young boy plays as he marches with his grandmother and sister, he is wearing a sigh on the shirt which reads: “FREE MY DAD, NO TO IMPUNITY”, his father was a victim of the arbitrary arrest under the State of Exception. The protest is to demand the release of all innocent victims in prison under the State of Exception place a year ago. The civil society as well as national and international human rights organizations have criticized for lack of due process and the use of torture against detainees.

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Central America - El Salvador, capital city San Salvador: Gustavo Villatoro, Minister of Justice and Security of El Salvador after a press conference at the PNC National Civil Police headquarters. He has been a key element in the war agains the gangs unde

Gustavo Villatoro, Minister of Justice and Security of El Salvador after a press conference at the PNC National Civil Police headquarters. He has been a key element in the war agains the gangs under the State of Exception placed on April 2022 by President Bukele as part of the ongoing war on gangs, more than 60 thousand persons have been prisoned.

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A war veteran explodes a firecracker during a rally to commemorate the 31th anniversary of the peace accords that ended the 1980-1992 armed conflict and to protest against the Nayib Bukele’s govern
Under the State of Exception the majority of detainees are young men. Youth continue to bar the victims under the current situation many have been victims of arbitrary arrest and have spend a year in prison. A barber shop named “YOUTH BARBER SHOP” in downtown San Salvador.

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Central America - El Salvador, Soyapango: Las Margaritas community historically controlled by the Mara Salvatrucha - MS13 gang and is now under military and police control, as part of the war on gangs under the a state of emergency declared by BUKELE
A calendar with the image of President Nayib Bukele at the police post inside La Campanera community located in the city of Soyapango. La Campanera is a stronghold of the Barrio 18 Sureños gang, but now under military surveillance. Now it is considered gang free under the 5th stage of the Territorial Control Plan of Bukele’s war on gangs, called “EXTRACTION” it consist of encircling the city with a military and police and doing a deep search for gang members.
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Manuel spent 3 months in jail under the State of Exception, he was arrest at his house after police showed up at his house. As part of the war on gangs under the a state of emergency declared by President Nayib Bukele

Manuel spent 3 months in jail under the State of Exception, he was arrest at his house after police showed up at his house. As part of the war on gangs under the a state of emergency declared by President Nayib Bukele hundreds of innocent Salvadorans have been jailed with no evidence or probable cause, all being accused of belonging or collaborating to a gang.

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Police parade Independence Day celebration. The police has been a key force fighting the gangs and pushing President Bukele’s state of emergency as it has been extended for a sixth month.
Vendors at the Sagrado Corazon marketplace located in the historic downtown San Salvador, it is a popular place for Salvadorans to purchase produce and other products, this area is now free of gangs because of the State of Exception, MS13 and Barrio 18 controlled the downtown areas but now it is safe and businesses no longer have to pay extortion or “RENTA” as is know in the country.
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A member of the Special Police Force of El Salvador (Sección Táctica Operativa - STO) conducts a house search during a routine patrol, under the a state of emergency declared by President Nayib Bukele.

A member of the Special Police Force of El Salvador (Sección Táctica Operativa - STO) conducts a house search during a routine patrol, under the a state of emergency declared by President Nayib Bukele.

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A person (his name is not being given for her security) who spent months in jail is released from the detention center, popularly known as “El Penalito” hugs his loved ones. Hundreds of innocent Sa

A person (his name is not being given for her security) who spent months in jail is released from the detention center, popularly known as “El Penalito” hugs his loved ones. Hundreds of innocent Salvadorans have been victims of the “arbitrary arrests” under the State of Exception placed in April of 2021 by President Nayib Bukele as part of the ongoing war on gangs, more than 60 thousand persons have been prisoned.

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La Campanera community historically controlled by the Barrio 18 Revolucionarios, which is now under military and police control.
Central America - El Salvador Central America - El Salvador, Soyapango: La Campanera community historically controlled by the Barrio 18 Revolucionarios, which is now under military and police control. The city of Soyapango on the outskirts of capital San Salvador, has been surrounded by around 10,000 Salvadoran army troops and police officers as part of the 5th phase of the Territorial Control Plan from the Bukele government in order to fight the gangs and is taken place during the 8th month of the country’s State of Exception.
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A boy attends an event where President Nayib Bukele will inaugurate a youth community center known as “CUBOS (CUBES), at the place a military vehicle guards the perimeter the area.

A boy attends an event where President Nayib Bukele will inaugurate a youth community center known as “CUBOS (CUBES), at the place a military vehicle guards the perimeter the area.

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A mother (her name is not being given for her security) checks her smartphone as she is one of the many persons who spent long days and nights waiting to hear for news or the released her son at th
Soldiers on guard and patrol inside Las Margaritas community in the city of Soyapango which is the first to be part of the 5th stage of the Territorial Control Plan of Bukele’s war on gangs, called “EXTRACTION” it consist of encircling the city with a military and police and doing a deep search for gang members.
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A military vehicle heading for a routine patrol inside city of Soyapango, on the outskirts of capital San Salvador, as part of the war on gangs under the a state of emergency declared by President Nayib Bukele
Ana Margarita Mancia weeps as she tells her struggle and story, she has her sons and daughter in prison, they were taken under the accusation of being associated with the gangs, she has been left with taking care of her grandchildren. Due to her health issues, she is diabetic, she cannot work and is having difficulties supporting the family as well as trying to help her children in prison.

STATE OF DECEPTION


El Salvador has been under a State of Exception for a year. Under this measure the country is living one of the safest periods in decades, communities which were terrified by the gangs now sound. The strategy of President Nayib Bukele to fight the gangs has gained popularity among the general Salvadoran population as well as international attention, he is being praised for it. But this temporary peace is only achieved under this statue, at the end of it there is no telling what will happen and how the government will handle the post situation. Many people in the community who are enjoying these peaceful times worry about the backlash. The problem of gang violence has been giving a quick and effective solution on the short term, but the root of the problems has not been addressed making it volatile, paving the way for a grim future.

The civil society as well as national and international human rights organizations have criticized for lack of due process and the use of torture against detainees.to demand the release of all innocent victims in prison, it is estimated that around three thousand if not more have been victims of arbitrary arrest, of which about 100 have died. Civil liberties are nonexistent, the democratic state is fragile under the Bukelismo. For now, peace and safety are real but created by an illusion that it will stay this way forever.

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