Edition of October 20, 2026
Rebel Bites
Theresa Ejiro EfiakpovworeVillatoro defends the 2027 security budget before the Assembly's Finance Committee
Security Minister Gustavo Villatoro appeared on Tuesday before the Legislative Assembly's Finance and Budget Committee to explain how this year's funds were used and the plans for 2027. According to the Security Ministry, the 2026 budget is 77.6% executed and the goal is to close the year at 99.3%. Villatoro said the country has had 1,350 days without homicides and that more than 80% of those days fell under the state of exception. He also said President Bukele's strategy is to "reduce arms purchases and invest that in education" (our translation), and that the 2027 goal is to go from 17 to 50 "digital twins" inside the police. ContraPunto noted that the minister did not detail how much developing and maintaining those artificial-intelligence tools costs.
Prosecutors report more than 10,500 convictions of gang members since the state of exception began
Attorney General Rodolfo Delgado told the Legislative Assembly committee reviewing the 2027 budget on Tuesday that prosecutors have obtained 10,561 convictions of gang members since March 2022. According to Delgado, most of those convicted belong to MS-13 and Barrio 18. The figures run through October 16. They are court convictions and are not the same as the total number of people detained under the state of exception.
Environment Ministry records more than 50 small earthquakes in Mercedes Umaña, Usulután, within hours
According to the Environment Ministry (MARN), the National Seismic Network recorded a sequence of more than 50 earthquakes on Tuesday centered in the Mercedes Umaña district of Usulután, starting at 11:11 a.m. The strongest came at 11:23 a.m., with magnitude 3.6 and intensity IV on the Modified Mercalli scale in Mercedes Umaña. The MARN attributes the activity to local geological faults becoming active and is keeping it under watch. The ministry asked people to ignore rumors and follow official channels.
Weak north winds expected from Wednesday and less rain from Thursday, says the Environment Ministry
The Environment Ministry (MARN) forecasts weak north winds starting Wednesday, October 21, at 10 to 20 kilometers per hour with gusts of up to 35 km/h, mainly in high and open areas. According to the MARN, rain will decrease from Thursday the 22nd. Afternoons will stay hot, with highs of up to 37 degrees Celsius possible in the east, while early mornings stay cool.
Environment ministry reports two small earthquakes in Apaneca, Ahuachapán, early this morning
The Environment Ministry (MARN) reported on X two low-magnitude earthquakes in the Apaneca district, Ahuachapán Centro, early on Tuesday, October 20. The first, magnitude 2.9, occurred at 4:28 a.m. 3 kilometers northeast of Apaneca at a depth of 2 kilometers, according to MARN. The second was reported as a felt quake: MARN gave it a preliminary magnitude of 3.2 and later revised it to 3.1, with the epicenter 2 kilometers east of Apaneca, 4 kilometers deep, at 4:35 a.m. The Presidency's press office also shared the ministry's report.
A minor dies in a crash into a tractor-trailer on the Sonsonate-Acajutla highway, police say
The National Civil Police (PNC) reported on Monday night, October 19, a crash at kilometer 82 of the highway from Sonsonate to Acajutla, in Sonsonate Oeste. According to the PNC, a sedan hit the back of a tractor-trailer; one minor died and another was injured. Police said the sedan's driver, a 16-year-old, was at the scene. The PNC described the case as a developing story.
Police report zero homicides on Monday, October 19
The National Civil Police (PNC) said on its X account that Monday, October 19, ended "with 0 homicides in the country" (our translation). The Presidency's press office picked up the figure and credited the government's security strategy. Homicide figures come from the PNC; there is no independent count published for the same date.
El Salvador and CABEI add $50 million to the Social Housing Fund's credit line
The Finance Ministry, the Social Housing Fund (FSV) and the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) signed on Monday, October 19, a $50 million expansion of the global credit line for the FSV, backed by a sovereign guarantee from the state. With the increase, the line reaches $103.7 million for loans to buy new or used homes. According to CABEI, the money will fund about 1,250 loans, half of them for women, and will support programs such as Casa Joven, Vivienda Cercana and Casa Mujer. The multilateral bank said 99.55% of the funds from the earlier line have already been used.
Claudia Ortiz calls the plan to review gang collaborators' cases "improvisation"
VAMOS lawmaker Claudia Ortiz called President Nayib Bukele's statements about reviewing the cases of detained gang collaborators "improvisation" (our translation) in a TV interview on Monday, October 19. "The problem we have in our country, I'll say it concisely, is a security and justice model that is unsustainable," she said, according to Diario El Salvador (our translation). Ortiz acknowledged that the model has delivered security results, but said what she asks for is justice, both for those who committed crimes and for those jailed without having done anything. She also mentioned forced disappearances inside the prison system, according to both outlets.
Firpo hosts Saprissa on Wednesday in a playoff for a Champions Cup spot
Luis Ángel Firpo and Costa Rica's Deportivo Saprissa play the first leg of the Central American Cup playoff on Wednesday, October 21, at 6:30 p.m. at the Jorge "Mágico" González stadium in San Salvador. The return leg is on Wednesday, October 28, also at 6:30 p.m., at the Ricardo Saprissa stadium in Costa Rica. Both teams were knocked out in the tournament's quarterfinals, and the winner of the series earns a spot in the Concacaf Champions Cup.
Press Secretariat: Highlights the government's air and sea infrastructure projects
The press office highlights the government's air and sea infrastructure projects.
Press Secretariat: Shows a free surf class at El Sunzal during the World Longboard Championship, which has athletes from 37 countries
Shows a free surf class at El Sunzal during the World Longboard Championship, which has athletes from 37 countries.
PNC: Shows officers at schools in Jerusalén (La Paz) and Chilanga (Morazán) at dismissal time
The police show officers at schools in Jerusalén (La Paz) and Chilanga (Morazán) at dismissal time.
Security Ministry: Quotes Minister Villatoro: 1,350 days without homicides, more than 80% under the state of exception
Quotes Minister Villatoro: 1,350 days without homicides, more than 80% under the state of exception.
Security Ministry: Minister Villatoro presented the 2027 security budget at the Assembly's Finance Committee
Minister Villatoro presented the 2027 security budget at the Assembly's Finance Committee.
PNC: Shows document checks and vehicle searches at the Anguiatú border crossing in Metapán
The police show document checks and vehicle searches at the Anguiatú border crossing in Metapán.
Armed Forces: Soldiers clear a fallen tree blocking a street in San Luis Talpa; no damage reported
Soldiers clear a fallen tree blocking a street in San Luis Talpa; no damage reported.
Press Secretariat: Shares the Environment Ministry's report on the early-morning earthquake in Apaneca, Ahuachapán Centro
Shares the Environment Ministry's report on the early-morning earthquake in Apaneca, Ahuachapán Centro.
Press Secretariat: Picks up the police report of zero homicides on Monday, October 19, and credits the government's security strategy
Picks up the police report of zero homicides on Monday, October 19, and credits the government's security strategy.
PNC: Daily report: zero homicides on Monday, October 19
Daily report: zero homicides on Monday, October 19.
PNC: A crash into a tractor-trailer at km 82 of the Sonsonate-Acajutla highway, with one minor killed and another injured
Reports a crash into a tractor-trailer at km 82 of the Sonsonate-Acajutla highway, with one minor killed and another injured.
PNC: Photos of plazas and public spaces with police presence across the country
Photos of plazas and public spaces with police presence across the country.
Press Secretariat: Shares the schedule of free activities at the ISA World Longboard Championship for October 20 and 21
Shares the schedule of free activities at the ISA World Longboard Championship for October 20 and 21.
Press Secretariat: A video quoting President Bukele: "no gang member is going to walk free" (our translation)
A video quoting President Bukele: "no gang member is going to walk free" (our translation).