The Republic of El Salvador has arrested thousands of citizens — men, women, and children, in a nationwide crackdown against the Mara Salvatrucha criminal enterprise better known as the MS-13, after President Nayib Bukele declared a state of emergency in the aftermath of three days of violence that left 87 persons dead. The president blames the MS-13 gang directly for the tragic series of murders.  Since then, Salvadoran police have announced that they have captured those who ordered the killings, but human rights lawyer, Zaira Navas from the group Cristobal says the detained persons have lost their right to defense.

This is due to a provision in this 30-day state of emergency that allows for the detainees to be held for 15 days without being provided a defense attorney or going before a court of law.

In Belize, authorities are on high alert for absconders running away from Bukele’s rigid stance against the MS-13 group known for their violence and criminal enterprise across Latin America.

During an interview this weekend, the Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams shared that Belizean authorities continue to be on high alert along the border when asked about the possibility of more MS- 13 members setting up shop in Belize.

“We continue to be on high alert along the borders. As a matter of fact, we have intensified our border presence with members from MIT ensuring that the unofficial border areas, particularly in the West, are covered by police officers, and we have our operation in that area with police, Immigration, and Customs, and so they are on high alert to make sure that if any of those persons are to come, we can intercept them.  I can tell you again, yesterday we intercepted another one of those persons from the Salvador area and is fleeing what is taking place in Salvador,”said Commissioner Williams.

So far, reports are that three persons believed to be members of the MS- 13 gang were found in San Ignacio, cohabiting with family members. Commissioner Williams said that there is no indication if the families of the men, who have since been arrested and remanded by police, are involved in gang activity.  Commissioner Williams said that while there is a small presence of MS-13 gang members within Belize, their activity is not significant within the country.