El Salvador Extends Bukele’s Emergency Powers by 30 Days
- 16,000 arrests made with powers given late March, Bukele says
- Emergency declared after dozens of deaths in gang violence
Nayib Bukele
Photographer: Marvin Recinos/AFP/Getty Images
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El Salvadorian lawmakers granted President Nayib Bukele another 30 days of emergency powers Sunday, after a crackdown that he says has enabled the arrest of 16,000 alleged gang members.
Bukele was first handed the powers in late March after dozens of people were killed in gang violence during one weekend. He asked the Legislative Assembly to extend the state of emergency early Sunday and 67 of the 84 deputies voted in favor of the extension, with five against.