Yesterday alone, 62 murders were recorded in El Salvador in the context of the gang war.
"We will not back down in this battle - writes the police on twitter -, we will not stop until the criminals responsible for these acts are captured and brought to justice".
Meanwhile, the Parliament approved the state of emergency in the country by a large majority: the president of the Legislative Assembly announced it. The decree proclaims "an emergency regime throughout the national territory resulting from serious disturbances to public order by criminal groups".
In the last few hours, the police and the army have arrested numerous leaders of Mara Salvatrucha's gang (MS-13). Among other measures, the state of emergency limits gatherings and allows arrests without a warrant.
A previous spike in homicides occurred in November, with 45 fatalities in three days.
(Unioneonline / ss)