The Security Cabinet reported that during a clash with terrorist bands, rifles and pistols were seized.

The General Director of the National Civil Police (PNC) and Commissioner Mauricio Arriaza Chicas praised the effectiveness of both order forces that keep up operations in the Cabañas Department to catch criminals.

Bukele imposed a state of emergency in March 2022 that has seen tens of thousands of alleged gang members rounded up, raising alarms from rights groups.

Security forces have on several occasions besieged key cities to carry out house-to-house searches for gang members, but it is the first time an entire department (administrative region) is being cordoned off. The Latin American country is divided into 14 departments.

“Since this morning, 7,000 soldiers and 1,000 police officers have established a security fence around the entire department of Cabanas,” Bukele wrote on Twitter, now called X.

“Their job will be to prevent gang members from leaving the area and cut off all supply lines belonging to terrorist groups.”

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