The President of the Republic, Nayib Bukele, held a meeting with his Security Cabinet and the Attorney General last Thursday night to measure the progress of the implementation of the exceptional regime that has been in force since March 27 and which was extended for another 30 days on May 25, in order to continue the fight against gangs seeking to reorganize.

According to the Twitter account of the Presidential House, on March 28 and 30, April 6 and May 25, the president, the Security Cabinet and the attorney general also held meetings to evaluate and adjust details of the plan. security within the emergency regime.

The president’s last meeting was held with the Minister of Justice and Public Security, Gustavo Villatoro; the director of the National Civil Police, Mauricio Arriaza Chicas; the Minister of National Defense, Francis Merino Monroy; and the Attorney General, Rodolfo Delgado.

The Presidential House reported that the meeting also served to “continue with the next stage of the security strategy to prevent terrorist groups from evolving before being eliminated.”

The president of the republic reacted to the publication with the message “24/7 El Salvador.” Likewise, deputies from the New Ideas parliamentary group highlighted the president’s work in favor of security.

“Thank you for providing that security to the people, President Bukele,” Cyan deputy Helen Jovel wrote on Twitter, and legislator Mauricio Ortiz published on that social network: “A president 24/7 for the well-being of our beloved people.”

The deputy coordinator of the parliamentary group of the cyan caucus, Caleb Navarro, indicated on Twitter that the security authorities have identified 15 leaders of the criminal structure MS-13, of which six have already been captured; however, the terrorist organization “is appointing new leaders.”

In this sense, the legislator argued, “We must continue with the [exception] regime.” The constitutional measure has been backed by the New Ideas parliamentary group with 56 votes from its deputies. In addition, it has been supported by the fractions of GANA, PCN, and PDC.

Instead, the political opposition—led by ARENA and the FMLN—has denied their votes to approve and extend the initiative, which since it began has allowed the capture of more than 39,000 mareros, gang members, and their collaborators, according to figures published by the Police. National Civil (PNC) on Twitter.

The parliamentary groups of Nuevas Ideas, GANA, PCN, and PDC have not only approved the exception regime, but have also endorsed reforms to the Penal Code; Criminal Procedure Code; the Law for the Prohibition of Maras, Gangs, Groups, Associations, and Organizations of a Criminal Nature, and the Law Regulating Activities Related to Drugs.

The amendments to the bodies of law increased the prison sentences to 40 years for the crime of belonging to the terrorist groups of maras and gangs, which were born during the four governments of ARENA and were strengthened by the two of the FMLN.

As part of the government’s fight against criminal structures, the institutional budgets of the Ministry of Justice and Public Security and the Ministry of National Defense have also been reinforced with $80 million.

These resources were destined for the payment of rewards to citizens who provide information on the whereabouts of gang members or leaders of these structures, and also for the purchase of equipment for police officers and soldiers who participate in public security tasks at a national level.