Since March 27, 2022, El Salvador’s state of emergency has led to the capture of over 85,500 gang members, significantly reducing crimes like homicides. Authorities have also weakened gang finances by disrupting drug trafficking and extortion networks.

According to Minister of Security Gustavo Villatoro, extortion—often called “la mal denominada ‘renta’”—generated up to $2 billion annually for gangs, far surpassing their $200 million profits from marijuana sales. “Unlike MS and Barrio 18 in the U.S., where gangs thrive on the drug trade, here they made extortion more profitable than selling the cheapest drug in the world,” Villatoro stated.

Speaking at the 2025 International Conference on Synthetic Drugs in San Salvador, he explained how Salvadoran gangs evolved from violent groups into structured criminal enterprises. “They transitioned from leading serial killers to controlling a country, even changing their governance models,” he noted.

By dismantling the financial backbone of these organizations, El Salvador’s government aims to secure lasting stability and reclaim communities from gang influence.