Edition of October 23, 2026
Rebel Bites
Theresa Ejiro EfiakpovworeBukele answers criticism of the Haiti mission: “we have never listened to them and we are not going to start now”
President Nayib Bukele replied on X to messages and analyses warning that Haiti's gangs are more dangerous than El Salvador's and that the mission could fail. He wrote that, if victory comes, today's critics will change their tune, and added: “we have never listened to them and we are not going to start now” (our translation). Bukele said everyone who enlisted is a believer and that the mission has been entrusted to God, and he described Haiti's gangs as “satanic”, which is his own characterization. He closed with the line “God will grant us victory. The Creator of the Universe is with us” (our translation) and a quote from Deuteronomy 28:7. The post comes as the search continues for the four Salvadoran soldiers missing in Haiti since October 18.
Small-business report: confidence at a record high and 925,815 businesses in the country
FUSAI's LID School MYPE Observatory and Flacso El Salvador presented the report “The State of the MYPE 2026: The Other Side of the Economy” on Friday. According to the study, El Salvador has 925,815 micro and small businesses, which make up 99% of all businesses and contribute 48.8% of GDP. The Business Confidence Index for these businesses reached 109.1 points in the second quarter of 2026, the highest level since measurement began. The researchers said that, despite the optimism, the sector needs a better environment for that confidence to turn into more sales, jobs and investment.
Salvadoran retirees with TPS report US Social Security letters suspending their pensions
Some Salvadoran retirees covered by TPS in the United States say they received letters from the Social Security Administration (SSA) suspending their monthly payments, according to a Univision report picked up by Salvadoran media. The letters argue that they do not meet the “legal presence” requirement and cite Section 202(y) of the Social Security Act. Specialists believe it could be a coordination problem between federal agencies, but the SSA has not confirmed this. Those affected are seeking clarity, while immigration authorities have said TPS protection remains in force pending a final decision.
El Salvador will host the FIBA 3x3 AmeriCup 2026 from October 28 to November 1
According to the presidential press office, El Salvador will host the FIBA 3x3 AmeriCup 2026 basketball tournament from October 28 to November 1. Forty-five national teams from the Americas will take part: 24 men's and 21 women's. The head of the sports institute INDES, René Martínez, said the visiting teams are “of the highest level” (our translation) and that athletes who have competed at the Olympic Games will play. The government presents the tournament as part of its investment in sport.
A Salvadoran military contingent arrives in Haiti to search for the four missing technicians
The Gang Suppression Force (GSF), the international anti-gang mission in Haiti, confirmed that a contingent from El Salvador arrived in Port-au-Prince on October 22. According to the GSF, it will take part in search and security operations in the Cul-de-Sac plain, in coordination with the Haitian National Police. The mission did not say how many troops arrived; the US newspaper Miami Herald reported about 100 special forces soldiers, a figure that has not been officially confirmed. The four Salvadoran aviation technicians have been missing since Sunday, October 18, after a gang attack in the Santo area of Croix-des-Bouquets. The GSF asked residents of that area to stay away from places where operations are under way.
Prosecutors seek life sentences for 564 Barrio 18 gang leaders
The Attorney General's Office filed its final indictment on Thursday, October 22, against 564 leaders of the Revolucionarios and Sureños factions of the Barrio 18 gang, according to El Mundo and NTN24. Of the defendants, 474 are in custody and 90 will be tried in absentia. According to deputy prosecutor for organized crime Max Muñoz, they are charged with more than 14,000 crimes, including homicide and extortion, as well as membership in a terrorist organization. Prosecutors are asking for a mass trial and life imprisonment, which Salvadoran law allows for that crime after a reform approved this year. The case adds to the mass trial of MS-13 leaders that began in April.
The urban basic food basket reaches $269.15, its highest recorded cost
The urban basic food basket cost $269.15 in September 2026, the highest value in the records of the Central Reserve Bank's National Statistics and Census Office (ONEC), according to La Prensa Gráfica and El Diario de Hoy. The figure surpasses the previous high, recorded in July 2024. The urban calculation is based on a household of 3.73 people and includes foods such as tortillas, beans, rice, eggs, milk and vegetables. Both outlets note that the increase puts pressure on household budgets.
Police report zero homicides on Thursday, October 22
According to the police, Thursday, October 22 ended with no homicides nationwide. The presidential press office repeated the figure and credited the government's security strategy. These are government figures; no independent count has been published for the date.
Press Secretariat: El Salvador will host the FIBA 3x3 AmeriCup 2026, with 45 national teams from the Americas
The presidential press office announces that El Salvador will host the FIBA 3x3 AmeriCup 2026, with 45 national teams from the Americas.
PNC: Shows Rural Police patrols in hard-to-reach areas of Ahuachapán, including document checks
The police show Rural Police patrols in hard-to-reach areas of Ahuachapán, including document checks.
Press Secretariat: Says Los Chorros park will be closed on Sunday, October 25, because of work on the Pan-American Highway
The government says Los Chorros park will be closed on Sunday, October 25, because of work on the Pan-American Highway.
Press Secretariat: Summarizes figures from the annual report on the country's micro and small businesses
The presidential press office summarizes figures from the annual report on the country's micro and small businesses.
PNC: Describes Border Police checks at the La Hachadura bridge on the border with Guatemala
The police describe Border Police checks at the La Hachadura bridge on the border with Guatemala.
Press Secretariat: Summarizes Bukele's reply to criticism of the Haiti mission
The presidential press office summarizes Bukele's reply to criticism of the Haiti mission.
Bukele: Answers those who warn the Haiti mission will fail and says he will not change course
Bukele answers those who warn the Haiti mission will fail and says he will not change course.
PNC: Police and the Armed Forces patrol remote rural communities in Morazán
Police and the Armed Forces patrol remote rural communities in Morazán.
PNC: A deployment with patrols and vehicle checks in Santa Ana and El Porvenir
The police report a deployment with patrols and vehicle checks in Santa Ana and El Porvenir.
Armed Forces: Shares the police report of zero homicides on Thursday, October 22
The Armed Forces share the police report of zero homicides on Thursday, October 22.
Press Secretariat: Repeats that Thursday, October 22 ended with no homicides and credits the government's security strategy
The presidential press office repeats that Thursday, October 22 ended with no homicides and credits the government's security strategy.
PNC: Thursday, October 22 ended with zero homicides nationwide
The police report that Thursday, October 22 ended with zero homicides nationwide.
PNC: Shows families at the fairground in San Rafael Obrajuelo, La Paz Este, with officers deployed in the area
The police show families at the fairground in San Rafael Obrajuelo, La Paz Este, with officers deployed in the area.
Press Secretariat: Firefighters responded to a fire in a heavy cargo vehicle on the Sonsonate-San Salvador highway, near Las Higueras in Izalco
According to the presidential press office, firefighters responded to a fire in a heavy cargo vehicle on the Sonsonate-San Salvador highway, near Las Higueras in Izalco.
PNC: Shows officers present at sports courts in San Miguel Oeste
The police show officers present at sports courts in San Miguel Oeste.
Press Secretariat: Describes the new Eastern Region Water Quality Laboratory and says it will benefit about 450,000 residents
The presidential press office describes the new Eastern Region Water Quality Laboratory and says it will benefit about 450,000 residents.
Press Secretariat: Promotes Gastro-Lab Surf City, which offers free technical training in cooking, nutrition, food hygiene and customer service
The presidential press office promotes Gastro-Lab Surf City, which offers free technical training in cooking, nutrition, food hygiene and customer service.
Press Secretariat: Handed the national flag to the athletes heading to the 12th Central American Sports Games for Students with Disabilities, in Guatemala from October 25 to 31
The government handed the national flag to the athletes heading to the 12th Central American Sports Games for Students with Disabilities, in Guatemala from October 25 to 31.
PNC: Shows families in the plazas of Ahuachapán Centro and highlight the police presence
The police show families in the plazas of Ahuachapán Centro and highlight the police presence.
Press Secretariat: CONAMYPE closed the training of the first group in the Up Digital project, which trained entrepreneurs for three months with support from Luxembourg
CONAMYPE closed the training of the first group in the Up Digital project, which trained entrepreneurs for three months with support from Luxembourg.
PNC: The Tourism Police (Politur) accompany visitors climbing the Ilamatepec volcano in Santa Ana
The Tourism Police (Politur) accompany visitors climbing the Ilamatepec volcano in Santa Ana.