Colonia El Matazano in Soyapango, El Salvador.
According to information published by the Salvadoran National Police (PNC) on their X (Twitter) account, August ended with 18 registered murders, becoming the month with the highest homicidal violence so far in 2024. August’s daily murder rate ended at 0.58.
The second month with the most homicides in 2024 is May, which ended with 14 homicides for a 0.45 daily homicide rate.
| Year | Month | Homicides | Daily Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | August | 18 | 0.58 |
| 2023 | October | 20 | 0.65 |
| 2022 | March | 165 | 5.32 |
| 2021 | November | 120 | 4.00 |
| 2020 | October | 158 | 5.10 |
| 2019 | April | 326 | 10.87 |
In August, the San Salvador department recorded the highest number of homicides with six cases, followed by Ahuachapan with four, and La Union with two. The departments of Cuscatlan, La Paz, San Miguel, San Vicente, Santa Ana, and Sonsonate each reported one homicide.
What makes the recent homicides across the country unusual is that they are no longer attributed to gangs but to other forms of social violence.
This non-gang-related violence has always existed, but it is now more noticeable due to the absence of the brutal violence once perpetrated by gangs.
“Today we are beginning to see that there is a cultural dynamic of violence that is rooted and that shows us that our problems do not only come from gangs but also from how we resolve our conflicts,” remarked Veronica Reyna to La Prensa Grafica newspaper.
Reyna is a public security and human rights analyst at the Passionist Social Service (SSPAS)
SEE ALSO: El Salvador State of Exception; A Security Measure Implemented to Fight Gangs
El Salvador has garnered international attention for its remarkable achievement in reducing homicide rates, something that seemed almost unimaginable just a few years ago.
Since the start of President Nayib Bukele’s administration, the country has experienced an unprecedented decline in violence, especially homicides.
This success is largely attributed to the Territorial Control Plan and the controversial State of Exception, which have dramatically curbed gang violence and improved national security.
