Fact Check: El Salvador's Crackdown on Gangs Led to 84,000 Arrests, Often Without Evidence
What We Know
El Salvador has been under a state of emergency since March 2022, which was declared in response to a spike in homicides attributed to gang violence. During this period, approximately 84,000 individuals have been arrested, many of whom are accused of having ties to gangs like MS-13 and Barrio 18 (AP News). Reports indicate that the arrests were often based on flimsy evidence, such as neighborhood gossip, anonymous tips, or even innocent tattoos (New York Times).
Police officers involved in the crackdown have described facing intense pressure to meet arrest quotas, leading to arbitrary detentions. Some officers admitted that they were instructed to "arrest first, investigate later," reflecting a systemic issue within the enforcement of the crackdown (New York Times).
Analysis
The claim that El Salvador's crackdown has led to 84,000 arrests, often without evidence, is supported by multiple credible sources. The New York Times and AP News both report on the mass arrests and the questionable methods used to justify them. The Human Rights Watch report cited by the New York Times highlights the pressure on police to meet quotas, resulting in arbitrary arrests that often lacked substantial evidence (New York Times).
The AP News article corroborates the number of arrests and emphasizes the suspension of fundamental rights during the state of emergency, which has raised concerns among human rights advocates (AP News).
While some sources, such as the Wikipedia entry on the Salvadoran gang crackdown, provide a general overview of the situation, they do not delve into the specifics of the arrests or the methods used, making them less reliable for this particular claim (Wikipedia).
Overall, the evidence from multiple reputable sources indicates that the claim is accurate. The New York Times and AP News are both well-established news organizations known for their rigorous fact-checking and journalistic integrity, lending credibility to their reports.
Conclusion
The claim that "El Salvador's crackdown on gangs led to 84,000 arrests, often without evidence" is True. The evidence presented from multiple reliable sources confirms that the arrests were frequently based on insufficient evidence and that police officers faced significant pressure to meet arrest quotas, resulting in arbitrary detentions.
