El Salvador will observe three days of national mourning with flags at half-mast in embassies, diplomatic missions, and government offices following the tragic death of Mauricio Arriaza Chicas, Director of the National Civil Police (PNC). Arriaza Chicas lost his life in an air crash on Sunday, marking a significant loss for the nation’s security forces.
President Nayib Bukele ordered the mourning period, emphasizing the vital role Arriaza Chicas played in transforming public safety in El Salvador in recent years. Bukele made the announcement through the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), stating, “All flags across the entire national territory, as well as in our embassies and consulates, will fly at half-mast for three days in honor of the Director of the National Civil Police, General Commissioner Mauricio Arriaza Chicas.”
In light of the tragic helicopter crash in the San Eduardo area of Pasaquina district, La Unión, Bukele also vowed to seek international assistance to investigate the incident thoroughly. The helicopter, which was carrying PNC officials, crashed while transporting a former Cosavi general manager who had been expelled from Honduras.
“This cannot be left as a simple ‘accident.’ It must be thoroughly investigated to the fullest extent. We will request international support,” Bukele declared on his X account.
U.S. Ambassador to El Salvador, William H. Duncan, extended his condolences to the families of those who perished in the crash, including Arriaza Chicas and fellow PNC commissioners García Funes and Romero Torres. “The news of the death of Director Arriaza Chicas, Commissioners García Funes, Romero Torres, and their companions has shocked us. Our deepest condolences go out to their families, the PNC, the government of El Salvador, and all Salvadorans in this terrible tragedy,” the ambassador shared on X.