Salvadoran Police. More than 93,000 people have been Arrested Under El Salvador’s State of Exception since March 2022, as authorities continue their nationwide campaign against suspected gang members and organized crime.
President Nayib Bukele’s government introduced the emergency security measures targeting criminal gangs following a deadly surge in violence, launching one of the country’s largest security operations.
The crackdown has significantly changed public safety across El Salvador. While government officials highlight falling homicide rates and weakened gang structures, human rights organizations continue questioning mass detentions and judicial protections.
More Than 93,000 Arrested Under the State of Exception
According to El Salvador’s Legislative Assembly, authorities had arrested more than 93,162 suspected gang members under the state of exception as of September 23, 2026.
These official numbers show how large the government’s security crackdown has been. The crackdown started in March 2022 and still focuses on suspected gang members and their collaborators.
The number of arrests has kept rising as police and military continue operations across the country, especially in areas that used to be affected by gang violence.
Government figures show that authorities had reported 91,628 arrests by March 26, 2026. By June, that number had increased to 92,414, according to the Legislative Assembly.
Most arrests involve individuals suspected of belonging to Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) or Barrio 18, two criminal organizations that maintained a strong presence in Salvadoran communities for decades.
Officials say these operations have broken up gangs, lowered crime, and made it easier for people to move around neighborhoods that used to face violence and extortion.
Why El Salvador Introduced the State of Exception
El Salvador introduced the state of exception on March 27, 2022, after a violent weekend of gang-related killings that left 62 people dead in just one day.
President Bukele called for emergency powers, and the Legislative Assembly approved his request, giving police and security forces more authority to investigate, arrest, and prosecute suspected gang members.
The emergency law suspended some constitutional protections, such as rules about detention and private communications. It also let authorities keep suspects longer before they had to see a judge.
Lawmakers first approved these measures for 30 days, but the Legislative Assembly has extended them several times. The state of exception is now a key part of the government’s security plan.
Government Highlights Major Improvements in Public Safety
Since these tough security policies began, El Salvador has seen a big drop in reported homicides. Government officials often point to this when defending the emergency measures.
Official figures show that the country’s homicide rate dropped from 106.3 deaths per 100,000 residents in 2015 to 1.3 in 2025.
These security changes have changed daily life in places where gangs used to control who could enter, threaten people, and demand money from local businesses.
Now, many Salvadorans can travel through neighborhoods that used to have gang intimidation. Business owners say they can work in areas where gangs once limited business activity.
Supporters of the government say these results show the security strategy should continue. Critics, though, note that homicide rates were already dropping before the emergency measures started.
There are still questions about how authorities count and report some violent deaths. Because of this, transparency is important for judging the country’s long-term security progress.
Human Rights Organizations Raise Concerns About Mass Arrests
Even with the government’s reported security successes, international human rights groups have reported claims of arbitrary detention, limited access to lawyers, and violations of due process.
Human Rights Watch has found cases where people were arrested without enough proof of gang membership. This includes minors and people with no known criminal ties.
Amnesty International has also raised concerns about deaths in custody, prison conditions, and how hard it is for families to get information about relatives who have been detained.
These groups say that making the country safer should not mean giving up basic legal protections, especially when people are detained without being convicted of a crime.
The Salvadoran government says these security measures are needed to stop criminal groups from rebuilding and threatening communities again.
What Comes Next for El Salvador’s Security Strategy?
More than four years after it began, the state of exception is still one of President Bukele’s main policies.
The government keeps highlighting the drop in gang activity and homicides. Meanwhile, human rights groups call for better court oversight and accountability.
For many Salvadorans, better security has changed daily life. Families and businesses can now operate in places that used to face constant criminal threats.
Others are still waiting for news about detained relatives and the court cases that will decide their futures.
Looking ahead, El Salvador faces the challenge of maintaining its security improvements, enhancing court transparency, addressing pending cases, and finding ways to ensure safety without constantly relying on emergency powers.
