El Salvador's congress extends anti-gang crackdown
The IndependentFor free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy El Salvador’s congress has voted to approve yet another extension of emergency rules allowing police to round up suspected members of street gangs. The extension came on the same day the government sent 2,000 more suspects to a huge new prison built especially for gang members Wednesday, and the justice minister vowed that “they will never return” to the streets. Gustavo Villatoro, the government’s minister for justice and peace, said Wednesday the suspected gang members would never return to the streets, even though about 57,000 of those arrested are still awaiting formal charges or a trial.