The first US Peace Corps volunteers return to El Salvador since leaving in 2016 because of violence

2 weeks, 3 days ago

Kenya police boss denies reports officers in Haiti peacekeeping mission haven’t been paid in months

NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenya’s top police official has denied reports that officers serving in the United Nations-backed multinational peacekeeping mission in Haiti have gone unpaid for three months. The police inspector general, Douglas Kanja, on Thursday said officers in Haiti had been paid “up to the end of October.” He was reacting to Kenyan media reports citing deployed officers who …

Gang Violence Mission Haiti Kenyan Officers

3 months ago

Guatemala to send 150 military police officers to help fight gangs in Haiti

LA Times

The president of Guatemala, Cesar Bernardo Arevalo de Leon, speaks to the United Nations General Assembly during the Summit of the Future on Sunday at the U.N. headquarters. Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo said Tuesday at the U.N. General Assembly that his country would send 150 military police officers to help Haiti fight violent gangs. The announcement comes as a U.N.-backed …

Officers Police Officers Guatemala Haiti

3 months, 2 weeks ago

Human rights body urges El Salvador to end state of emergency

Associated Press

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador — The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights urged El Salvador Wednesday to end the more than two-year state of emergency, which has suspended fundamental civil rights while the government pursued the country’s powerful street gangs. The regional human rights body noted that plunging rates of violence in El Salvador made clear that the state of emergency …

Human Rights El Salvador Bukele Rights Commission End State

4 months ago

Several NGOs start a registry of disappeared persons in El Salvador as anti-gang crackdown continues

Associated Press

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador — Several nongovernmental organizations on Wednesday launched a registry of disappeared persons in El Salvador, a tool meant to help families with relatives who disappeared during the country’s extended state of emergency that was declared to battle street gangs. While the government is accused of committing mass human rights abuses in the crackdown, Bukele remains highly …

Rights Report Salvador El Salvador Bukele Registry Persons

4 months ago

Dozens of former FARC fighters abandon ‘reincorporation’ village in Colombia after death threats

Associated Press

BOGOTA, Colombia — Dozens of former guerrilla fighters and their families were forced to abandon their village in southern Colombia on Tuesday, after receiving death threats by a rebel group that is still fighting the government, authorities said. On Tuesday more than 80 people, including former fighters, their children and their spouses, left the Miravalle area for another village — …

Colombia Group Village Fighters Colombian Farc Miravalle

5 months, 1 week ago

More than 60 children detained, beaten, tortured in El Salvador, HRW says

Hindustan Times

By Nelson Renteria More than 60 children detained, beaten, tortured in El Salvador, HRW says SAN SALVADOR, - More than 60 children in El Salvador have been arbitrarily detained, tortured and beaten since the government declared a state of emergency over two years ago to combat gangs, a report by the Human Rights Watch said on Tuesday. Police and soldiers …

Children El Salvador Hrw Detained Beaten Tortured Beaten Tortured Detained Beaten

5 months, 1 week ago

Children victimized in El Salvador’s anti-gang crackdown, rights group alleges

LA Times

Thousands of poverty-stricken children in El Salvador have suffered arbitrary detention, torture and other abuse as part of President Nayib Bukele’s “war on gangs,” Human Rights Watch said in a report released Tuesday. “Many have been convicted on overly broad charges and in unfair trials that deny due process,” according to the report, which Human Rights Watch says is based …

Children Rights State Report Watch Human Salvador

5 months, 1 week ago

At least 261 people have died in El Salvador's prisons under anti-gang crackdown, rights group says

Hindustan Times

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador — The human rights organization Cristosal said Wednesday that at least 261 people have died in prisons in El Salvador during President Nayib Bukele's 2 1/2-year-old crackdown on street gangs. At least 261 people have died in El Salvador's prisons under anti-gang crackdown, rights group says Under a state of emergency originally declared in 2022 and …

Rights Salvador El Salvador Bukele Rights Group

5 months, 1 week ago

At least 261 people have died in El Salvador’s prisons under anti-gang crackdown, rights group says

Associated Press

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador — The human rights organization Cristosal said Wednesday that at least 261 people have died in prisons in El Salvador during President Nayib Bukele’s 2 1/2-year-old crackdown on street gangs. “People have died in El Salvador’s prisons and jails because of torture, a lack of food, unhealthy conditions, an inhuman lack of attention and cruel, inhuman …

Rights Salvador El Salvador Bukele

6 months ago

Kenyan police to depart for contentious peacekeeping effort in Haiti

Al Jazeera

A contingent of Kenyan police is set to depart for a controversial mission in Haiti to combat the influence of powerful criminal gangs that have brought turmoil and violence to the Caribbean nation. Kenyan President William Ruto held a ceremony on Monday, wishing luck to 400 officers who will arrive in Haiti later this week in a United Nations-backed initiative, …

Kenya Haiti Kenyan Ruto Kenyan Police

8 months, 2 weeks ago

At least 241 people have died in El Salvador’s prisons during the ‘war on gangs,’ rights group says

New Indian Express

SAN SALVADOR: At least 241 people have died in El Salvador prisons since the start of President Nayib Bukele’s “war on gangs” two years ago, according to the organization Humanitarian Legal Relief. In March 2022, Bukele announced a “state of exception,” waiving many constitutional rights to combat the gangs that have terrorized the Central American nation. Since then, El Salvador …

El Salvador Bukele

8 months, 2 weeks ago

At least 241 people have died in El Salvador’s prisons during the ‘war on gangs,’ rights group says

Associated Press

SAN SALVADOR — At least 241 people have died in El Salvador prisons since the start of President Nayib Bukele’s “war on gangs” two years ago, according to the organization Humanitarian Legal Relief. According to the NGO report, “of these deaths, 44% died of violent death, serious torture, 29% due to lack of medical attention.” While the government is accused …

Salvador El Salvador Bukele

8 months, 3 weeks ago

Haiti gang violence deaths surge in 2024, UN says

Al Jazeera

Gang violence has eroded the rule of law and brought state institutions close to collapse, report finds. “All these practices are outrageous and must stop at once,” UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk said in a statement released on Thursday alongside a report describing the “cataclysmic” situation in the country. Armed brigades filling a security void left by …

Violence Gang Violence Report Henry Deaths Surge Haiti Gang

9 months ago

Colombia suspends ceasefire with faction of ex-FARC rebels following attack on Indigenous community

Associated Press

BOGOTA, Colombia — Colombian President Gustavo Petro on Sunday suspended a ceasefire with one of a handful of armed groups with which he hoped to negotiate peace accords, saying its fighters violated the truce by attacking an Indigenous community. Indigenous leaders in the war-torn western region of Cauca said an attack by the dissident group Saturday wounded at least three …

Colombia Group Armed Petro

9 months, 1 week ago

Congo faces unprecedented crisis as violence displaces 250,000 in the last month, a UN official says

Associated Press

GOMA, Congo — Escalating violence in Congo’s eastern region has displaced at least 250,000 people in the last month, a senior United Nations official said Wednesday, describing the situation as an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. Amid intensified fighting with security forces, the M23 rebel group — the most dominant in the region with alleged links to neighboring Rwanda — has continued …

Region Rwanda Goma Congo Rajasingham

9 months, 2 weeks ago

El Salvador extends anti-gang emergency decree for 24th time. It's now been in effect for two years

The Independent

For 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 Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ …

Congress Email Salvador El Salvador Bukele

9 months, 2 weeks ago

El Salvador extends anti-gang emergency decree for 24th time. It’s now been in effect for two years

Associated Press

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador — El Salvador’s lawmakers have granted a request by President Nayib Bukele for the 24th consecutive one-month extension of an anti-gang emergency decree. Bukele has used emergency powers to round up 78,175 suspected gang members in sweeps that rights groups say are often arbitrary, based on a person’s appearance or where they live. El Salvador’s homicide …

Congress El Salvador Bukele Emergency Decree Salvador El

10 months, 2 weeks ago

The president seized 1% of El Salvador's population. Their children pay the consequences

The Independent

For 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 Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “I’m scared, feeling like they …

Family Children Kids Families Gang His Mother Ventura

10 months, 2 weeks ago

‘Coolest dictator’ to ‘philosopher king,’ Nayib Bukele’s path to reelection in El Salvador

Associated Press

MEXICO CITY — El Salvador’s Nayib Bukele has called himself the “world’s coolest dictator” or as his X profile read on election day, the “Philosopher King.” Now he’ll likely have five more years to provoke, surprise and raise concerns, after appearing to win a landslide reelection as the Central American country’s president. Bukele vowed to ignore the ruling and tweeted: …

Constitution Gangs El Salvador Bukele

10 months, 2 weeks ago

El Salvador’s Nayib Bukele takes aim at critics in looking ahead to 2nd presidential term

Associated Press

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador — El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele is savoring what appears to be a landslide reelection victory, and is railing against his international critics and the press. “It will be the first time in a country that just one party exists in a completely democratic system,” Bukele said, adding that “the entire opposition together was pulverized.” Bukele …

Constitution Congress Term His Government Salvador El Salvador Bukele

1 year ago

UN votes unanimously to start the withdrawal of peacekeepers from Congo by year’s end

Associated Press

UNITED NATIONS — The Security Council on Tuesday voted unanimously to start the withdrawal of the U.N. peacekeeping force from Congo before the end of the year as the conflict-ridden country prepares to elect its next president on Wednesday. The resolution adopted by the U.N.’s most powerful body orders “the gradual, responsible and sustainable withdrawal” of the peacekeeping mission, known …

End Rwanda Withdrawal Congo Congolese

1 year ago

El Salvador is seeing worst rights abuses since 1980-1992 civil war, Amnesty reports

Associated Press

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador — El Salvador is experiencing one of the worst human rights crises since the country’s 1980-1992 civil war, because of President Nayib Bukele ’s harsh anti-gang crackdown, Amnesty International said in a report released Tuesday. The rights group claimed that the almost 74,000 people jailed in the crackdown were subjected to “systematic use of torture and …

Rights Salvador El Salvador Bukele

1 year, 2 months ago

Growing gang violence is devastating Haitians, with major crime at a new high, UN envoy says

Associated Press

UNITED NATIONS — Growing gang violence in Haiti is devastating the lives of its people, with major crimes rising to a new high, the U.N. special envoy for the conflict-wracked Caribbean nations said Monday. Between April 24 and Sept. 30, she said, the U.N. political mission “registered the lynching of at least 395 alleged gang members across all 10 departments …

Children Gang Violence Council Kenya Haitian Russell Salvador

1 year, 2 months ago

El Salvador is gradually filling its new mega prison with alleged gang members

Associated Press

TECOLUCA, El Salvador — With tattoo-covered faces, and wearing white shirts and shorts, gang members captured during El Salvador’s state of exception are gradually filling the country’s new mega prison. President Nayib Bukele ordered its construction when El Salvador began making massive arrests early last year in response to a surge in gang violence. Melvin Alexander Alvarado, a 34-year-old “soldier” …

Prisoners Prison Gang Gang Members Salvador El Salvador Bukele

1 year, 2 months ago

El Salvador is gradually filling its new mega prison with alleged gang members

The Independent

For 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 With tattoo-covered faces, and wearing …

Prisoners Prison Gang Gang Members El Salvador Bukele

1 year, 2 months ago

El Salvador sends 4,000 security forces into 3 communities to pursue gang members

Associated Press

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador — El Salvador sent more than 4,000 security forces into three communities on the outskirts of the capital to root out gang members Wednesday, as President Nayib Bukele prepared to request another extension of emergency powers to combat crime. “We won’t allow small remnants to regroup and take away the peace that has cost so much.” …

Gang Members Gang Members Communities El Salvador Security Forces Bukele

1 year, 3 months ago

El Salvador’s leader, criticized internationally for gang crackdown, tells UN it was the right thing

Associated Press

UNITED NATIONS — El Salvador President Nayib Bukele trumpeted the success of his gang crackdown during his speech at the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday, crediting his administration’s will against international criticism over human rights violations. Bukele said that if El Salvador had listened to external critics — including some at the United Nations — the tiny Central American country …

Salvador El Salvador Bukele Salvadorans

1 year, 3 months ago

El Salvador's leader, criticized internationally for gang crackdown, tells UN it was the right thing

The Independent

For 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 President Nayib Bukele …

Salvador El Salvador Free Breaking Bukele

1 year, 3 months ago

Colombia announces cease-fire with a group that split off from the FARC rebels

Associated Press

BOGOTA, Colombia — Colombia’s government and one of the nation’s last remaining rebel groups announced Tuesday that they will start peace talks next month, and enter a 10-month cease-fire that is expected to decrease violence against civilians. The agreement between the Colombian government and the rebel group known as FARC-EMC comes as President Gustavo Petro tries to bolster his plans …

Colombia Peace Talks Rebel Group Farc

1 year, 3 months ago

President Gustavo Petro’s plan for ‘total peace’ in Colombia: Takeaways from AP’s report

Associated Press

BUENAVENTURA, Colombia — Across Colombia, decades of war between leftist guerrillas, rightwing paramilitaries, trafficking groups and the government have left more than 9.5 million people – nearly 20% of the population – as victims of forced displacement, homicide, sexual violence and more. As conflict in the country grows more complex, with mutating armed groups warring for control, Colombia’s rebel-turned-president Gustavo …

Conflict Colombia Plan Groups Armed Gangs Petro

1 year, 3 months ago

President Gustavo Petro's plan for 'total peace' in Colombia: Takeaways from AP's report

The Independent

For 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 Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. As conflict in the country …

Conflict Peace Colombia Groups Armed Gangs Petro

1 year, 3 months ago

Clash between armed forces and protesters in Congo kills at least 26, local official says

Associated Press

GOMA, Congo — A clash between Congolese armed forces and members of a religious sect protesting Western organizations operating in Congo killed at least 26 people, a local official said Thursday. The violence broke out early Wednesday in the eastern city of Goma where Wazalendo followers gathered for a protest, which had been banned by the city mayor, against a …

Goma Congo Congolese

1 year, 4 months ago

Rights group urges rapid international intervention to end spiraling gang violence in Haiti

Associated Press

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — A human rights group urged the international community on Monday to intervene quickly to end spiraling violence by gangs in Haiti as it detailed the brutal rapes and killings committed in the troubled nation’s capital. “The longer that we wait and don’t have this response, we’re going to see more Haitians being killed, raped and …

France Violence Rights Port Last Year Haitians Human

1 year, 4 months ago

Could El Salvador’s gang crackdown spread across Latin America?

Al Jazeera

A harsh crackdown on gangs has brought Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele popularity, but experts say the cost is steep. “When massive rights violations become commonplace, it’s very rare for this to result in lasting peace,” said Noah Bullock, executive director of the Salvadoran rights group Cristosal, which has monitored rights violations under the state of exception. “The magnitude of the …

Crime Human Rights Political Rights Latin America Latin Gang

1 year, 4 months ago

Colombia begins a six-month cease-fire with its last remaining rebel group in hopes of forging peace

Associated Press

BOGOTA, Colombia — Colombia and the National Liberation Army, or ELN, formally began a six-month cease-fire Thursday as part of a process to forge a permanent peace between the government and the country’s last remaining rebel group. Petro appealed to the guerrilla leaders to leave behind deadly violence, saying that “everyone who really wants to transform this society, in today’s …

Peace Colombia Group Colombian Eln

1 year, 4 months ago

El Salvador sends 8,000 troops, police to rural province in gang crackdown

Al Jazeera

President Nayib Bukele said 7,000 soldiers and 1,000 police officers have been deployed to Cabanas to hunt down gang members. Thousands of Salvadoran soldiers and police officers on Tuesday surrounded the central agricultural region of Cabanas – home to some 150,000 people – as part of President Nayib Bukele’s crackdown on gang activity. Bukele imposed a state of emergency in …

Gang Members Gang Members Soldiers Bukele Cabanas Salvador Sends

1 year, 4 months ago

El Salvador’s Congress votes to allow mass trials in gang crackdown

Al Jazeera

El Salvador’s justice minister says up to 900 alleged gang members could be prosecuted at once under the new law. El Salvador’s Congress has approved group trials for the tens of thousands of people arrested during President Nayib Bukele’s crackdown on criminal gangs, which has given the country one of the world’s highest incarceration rates. Wednesday’s legislation will allow prosecutors …

Rights Congress Gang Group El Salvador Salvadoran

1 year, 6 months ago

Investigating El Salvador’s crackdown on gangs

Al Jazeera

A crackdown on gangs in El Salvador drops the murder rate in the country by more than 50 percent, but at what price? It has been more than a year since El Salvador declared a state of emergency as part of President Nayib Bukele’s promise to crack down on gangs. But, in the process, the government arrested almost 70,000 people …

This Episode El Salvador

1 year, 6 months ago

Data | Most soldiers killed in action during UN missions were Indians

The Hindu

The United Nations observed the 75th anniversary of its peacekeeping missions last Thursday. Data show that since the inception of UN peacekeeping missions, most of the lives lost during peacekeeping missions due to malicious acts were of Indian troops. The United Nations Operation in the Congo between July 1960 and June 1964 proved to be the deadliest for Indian troops …

Data Peacekeeping Missions Nations Acts Congo Peacekeepers

1 year, 7 months ago

Security forces in El Salvador surround town after officer is killed

CNN

CNN — Thousands of security forces in El Salvador surrounded a northern town on Wednesday in a bid to arrest those behind the alleged gang-related killing of a police officer, according to President Nayib Bukele. “They will pay dearly for the murder of our hero,” Bukele said on Twitter, saying some 5,000 members of the armed forces and 500 police …

Gang Officer Gang Members Salvador El Salvador Security Forces Bukele

1 year, 7 months ago

Haiti on ‘brink of civil war’, humanitarian group warns

Al Jazeera

Mercy Corps sounds the alarm about escalating violence between gangs and civilians as Haiti faces a hunger crisis. Haiti is on the “brink of a civil war”, the humanitarian group Mercy Corps has warned, as violence between criminal gangs and civilians risks spiralling. “The population has been pushed to make impossible decisions, like choosing between taking children to a hospital …

Violence Port Haiti Mercy Corps

1 year, 8 months ago

El Salvador marks its first year under anti-gang crackdown

Associated Press

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador — The Central American nation of El Salvador marked a full year Monday under anti-gang emergency measures that were originally supposed to last only a month. Recalling last March 27 when the last homicide wave occurred, Bukele wrote in his Twitter account “that was one of the most difficult days of my life.” Referring to police …

Gang Salvador El Salvador Bukele Rights Groups

1 year, 9 months ago

War on gangs forges new El Salvador. But the price is steep

Associated Press

SOYAPANGO, El Salvador — For the family of 44-year-old Maritza Pacheco, opening a corner shop outside their home four months ago was a small miracle. But over the past year, El Salvador has undergone a radical transformation since President Nayib Bukele – the self-described “world’s coolest dictator” – suspended constitutional rights and started an all-out offensive on the gangs. “And …

Family Gang Fear Gang Members Salvador Gangs Pacheco

1 year, 9 months ago

War on gangs forges new El Salvador. But the price is steep.

Associated Press

SOYAPANGO, El Salvador — With semiautomatic weapons pressed to their chest, a pack of camouflage-clad police officers marches through rows of small brick homes winding up hills on the fringes of El Salvador’s capital. “They’re always here.” El Salvador has undergone a radical transformation since President Nayib Bukele – the self-described “world’s coolest dictator” – ordered a state of emergency …

Family Parents Rights Gang Members Gang Members Spoke

1 year, 9 months ago

Red Cross says violence displaced more Colombians in 2022

Associated Press

BOGOTA, Colombia — The number of internally displaced people in Colombia increased significantly last year as several armed groups fought for control of rural pockets of the country, the Red Cross said Wednesday. The Red Cross’s findings come as Colombia’s recently elected leftist President Gustavo Petro tries to broker cease-fire agreements with rebel groups who are fighting for control of …

Colombia Groups Red Cross Rebel Groups Caraffi

1 year, 9 months ago

War on gangs forges new El Salvador. But the price is steep.

The Independent

For 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 Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “They’re always here.” El Salvador …

Family Parents Rights Gang Members Gang Members Spoke

1 year, 9 months ago

Red Cross finds deteriorating conditions for Colombia’s civilians

Al Jazeera

As armed groups continue to jostle for power, the Red Cross reports a six-year high in civilians injured by explosives. A new report from the International Committee of the Red Cross has found that violence between armed groups in Colombia continues to displace and maim civilians. In their annual report on the country’s humanitarian situation, the ICRC found that while …

Violence Colombia Report Groups Armed Red Cross Icrc

1 year, 9 months ago

Haiti PM turns to military for help in fighting gangs

Associated Press

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Prime Minister Ariel Henry signaled Friday that he wants to mobilize Haiti’s military to help the National Police fight the country’s increasingly powerful gangs. Henry said during an appearance at the Haitian Armed Forces headquarters that he intends to mobilize all of the country’s security forces in the fight against gang violence. Jean Robenson Servilius, who works …

Military Henry Haiti

1 year, 9 months ago

El Salvador's congress extends anti-gang crackdown

The Independent

For 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 …

El Salvador

The first US Peace Corps volunteers return to El Salvador since leaving in 2016 because of violence

Discover Related