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El Salvador: Sixty-two killings in a day prompt state of emergency

Dozens of gang-related murders were recorded to have taken place on Saturday, making it the most violent 24-hour period since the end of the civil war in 1992.

El Salvador has among the worst homicide rates in the world, much of it gang-related. Now, the country's parliament has approved a state of emergency after dozens of gang-related murders were recorded to have taken place on Saturday, making it the most violent 24-hour period since the end of the civil war in 1992. The state of emergency restricts free assembly and allows arrest without a warrant.

Mike Lanchin, a freelance journalist in El Salvador's northern Chalatenango province, explains what may have driven a spike in numbers. He says that there is an extradition treaty between the US and El Salvador concerning gang leaders which the government is under pressure to get underway. This has led to gangs, concerned their leaders may be caught up in the extraditions, responding with killings. He says that this is happening while El Salvador is trying to boost the image of the country and attract more investment.

Photo: Troops patrol the streets after El Salvador's Congress approved emergency powers in San Salvador Credit: Reuters

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