U.S. to Assist in Investigating Helicopter Crash That Claimed the Life of El Salvador’s Police Chief

By Karla Ramos  |  September 11, 2024
El Salvador Police Chief Mauricio Arriaza ChicasEl Salvador'S Police Chief Mauricio Arriaza Chicas. Image by: PNC El Salvador.

The U.S. Embassy in El Salvador announced that the United States government was sending a group of experts in air accidents to El Salvador to support the investigation into the helicopter crash that left nine dead, including the director of the Salvadoran Police, Mauricio Arriaza Chicas.

At the request of President Nayib Bukele, a team of U.S. government air accident investigators will arrive in the country in the coming days to support Salvadoran authorities in the investigation of the tragic accident that claimed the lives of the director of the PNC, Commissioner General Arriaza Chicas, and his companions. U.S. Embassy in El Salvador.

The embassy’s statement, attributed to Ambassador William Duncan, did not provide details on the mission’s arrival date, the number of participants, or the government agency they represent.

The September 8 helicopter accident, which claimed the lives of Commissioner General Arriaza Chicas and his companions, has caused great commotion in the country.

Salvadoran authorities, together with a team of American experts, will work together to determine the causes of the accident and offer answers to the families of the victims and the population.

The Salvadoran government has expressed gratitude for the support of the United States, highlighting the importance of international collaboration in the search for justice and clarity regarding the tragic event.

The military helicopter crashed on Sunday night, September 8, while flying over a remote mountainous area of ​​the town of Pasaquina in the department of La Unión.

President Nayib Bukele emphasized that the helicopter crash would not be dismissed as a mere accident and promised a thorough investigation, stating that he would seek international assistance.

PNC Director Arriaza Chicas was one of the principal figures involved in the Government’s direct fight against gangs.

“He was not just any director that the Police have had; he was the Director of the Territorial Control Plan, the State of Exception Regime, and the War Against Gangs,” wrote President Bukele on its X social media page.

As of today, Salvadoran authorities have not yet provided details of the circumstances of the accident.