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Fierce wave of violence in El Salvador

San Salvador / AFP
07/08/2005

Last month there were a total of 330 murders in El Salvador , an average of 11 deaths a day, according to official figures, despite repressive measures put in place by the government of Elías Antonio Removes, which, analysts say, have caused greater violence.

The wave of homicides shot up in El Salvador despite the government plans called "Super mano dura" against the youth gangs, known as maras, and "against homicides", aimed to capture delinquents that evaded the jail.

"The police predicted that the implementation of those plans would enhance the crime wave. The increase in crime is a phenomenon generated by gangs and personal vendettas,” said the Minister of Government, René Figueroa.

Civil National Police (PNC) figures indicate that in January there were 300 homicides, in February 260, in March 250, April, 266, May, 284 and in June, for a total of 1,690 homicides in the first semester of 2005. June has been the most violent month registered during the year, and also shows an increase with respect to June 2004, when there were 255 deaths.