Edition of October 27, 2026
Rebel Bites
Theresa Ejiro EfiakpovworeMore than 40 companies will offer hundreds of permanent jobs this Wednesday at Metrocentro San Salvador
The Labor Ministry is holding a job fair on Wednesday, October 28, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, in the main plaza of Metrocentro San Salvador, with the entrance across from the Hotel Intercontinental. According to Labor Minister Rolando Castro, more than 40 companies from the food, retail, services and industry sectors will take part with hundreds of openings, and he stressed that these are permanent, not temporary, hires. The call is aimed at young people aged 18 and up, people with disabilities, single mothers, young people at risk of migrating, returned migrants and people in social reintegration. Applicants must bring a printed résumé, and job counselors will guide them through the process.
62 Barrio 18 members who operated in Tenancingo sentenced to 20 to 30 years in prison
The Third Organized Crime Court of San Salvador sentenced 62 members of the Barrio 18 gang for illicit association, according to the judicial branch's Centros Judiciales, as reported by La Prensa Gráfica and Diario El Salvador. Of them, 18 were identified as "homeboys" and 38 as active civilian members, and they received sentences of 25 to 30 years; six others, identified as collaborators, were sentenced to 20 to 25 years. The group operated in the district of Tenancingo, in Cuscatlán, and according to Diario El Salvador also in Monte San Juan. That outlet adds that prosecutors linked them to years of extortion of small businesses and that all were detained under the state of exception in force since March 2022.
Campaign period for the 2027 presidential election opens, with no tickets yet registered with the electoral tribunal
The campaign advertising period for president and vice president candidates began on Tuesday, October 27, and runs until February 24, 2027, according to the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE), which based it on Article 81 of the Constitution and Articles 172 and 175 of the Electoral Code. The election is scheduled for February 28, 2027. According to Infobae and Diario El Mundo, no ticket has yet formally registered with the TSE; Infobae notes that the regular registration deadline is November 19. Nuevas Ideas, with President Nayib Bukele seeking re-election alongside Vice President Félix Ulloa, the FMLN and ARENA have already announced their tickets.
El Salvador's government skips IACHR hearings on the state of exception and the human rights ombudsman's office
El Salvador's government sent no representatives on Monday, October 26, to hearings of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), held in Panama during its 197th session. The first hearing dealt with people detained under the state of exception, and the second with the role of the Office of the Human Rights Ombudsman (PDDH), which, according to the organizations, did not attend either. Groups including Cristosal, Socorro Jurídico Humanitario and the Robert Kennedy Human Rights Center alleged arbitrary detentions, torture and deaths in custody, and asked the Commission to urge the government to repeal the state of exception. According to La Prensa Gráfica, the commissioners voiced concern about the government's absence.
Remittances total $7,619.9 million from January to September, up 3.5%, according to the Central Bank
El Salvador received $7,619.9 million in family remittances between January and September 2026, 3.5% more than in the same period of 2025, according to Central Reserve Bank (BCR) data. In the first nine months of 2025 the figure was $7,358.98 million. Less money arrived in September than in August, although the year-to-date total remains above last year's. Most of the money is sent from the United States.
Cold weather will last at least until Wednesday, October 28, with lows of 9 °C in the highlands, according to the Environment Ministry
The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARN) said on Monday, October 26, that minimum temperatures will stay low at least until Wednesday, October 28, because of north winds. According to the forecast, the highlands will see lows between 9 and 14 °C and the inland valleys between 18 and 21 °C. Winds will blow at 15 to 25 km/h, with gusts of up to 45 km/h in high and mountainous areas. The MARN expects the rest of the week to stay cool in the early mornings and forecasts no rain for this Tuesday.
Finance Committee backs raising a housing fund loan to $103.7 million and $9.9 million for scholarships
The Legislative Assembly's Finance Committee issued favorable reports on Monday, October 26, on several budget and loan changes. One backs amending the state guarantee on a Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) credit line with the Social Housing Fund (FSV), which would grow from $53.7 million to $103.7 million. According to the Finance Ministry's presentation, the FSV plans to grant about 1,250 loans, half of them to women. Another report adds $9.9 million, from a $100 million loan, to a post-secondary scholarship program that would cover about 14,000 young people. The reports still have to go to the full Assembly.
Three workers hurt in a gas explosion at a restaurant in Sonsonate
Three people were injured on Monday afternoon, October 26, by a propane gas explosion at a food business in the El Ángel neighborhood of the Sonsonate district. According to Comandos de Salvamento, cited by La Prensa Gráfica, they are two women aged 34 and 24 and a 20-year-old man, all workers there, with first- and second-degree burns; they were taken to a hospital in Sonsonate. Labor Minister Rolando Castro said ministry teams have already visited the restaurant and are investigating the workplace accident.
A 48-year-old Salvadoran man dies in ICE custody at a Georgia facility
A 48-year-old Salvadoran man died on Friday, October 23, while in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the D. Ray Processing Center in Folkston, Georgia, according to an agency statement. According to ICE, staff found him at about 1:46 a.m. with a ligature around his neck and tried to resuscitate him. The agency said the death is under investigation and that an autopsy will be performed to determine the cause. ICE also said the man had prior convictions in the United States.
Police report zero homicides on Monday, October 26
According to the National Civil Police (PNC), Monday, October 26 ended with no homicides in the country. The PNC posted it on X shortly after midnight, and the presidential press office credited it to the security strategy of President Nayib Bukele's government. It is the fifth day in a row with this official report. The figure is the PNC's own; no further breakdown was published.
Press Secretariat: A project to improve the drinking water system of the Pinares de Corinto Community Association (Acompinco), in Corinto, Morazán Norte, was handed over on Tuesday afternoon
According to the presidential press office, a project to improve the drinking water system of the Pinares de Corinto Community Association (Acompinco), in Corinto, Morazán Norte, was handed over on Tuesday afternoon.
PNC: Reports preventive searches at several points in Colón, La Libertad Oeste, as part of the Territorial Control Plan, with the stated aim of stopping the movement of illicit goods
The police report preventive searches at several points in Colón, La Libertad Oeste, as part of the Territorial Control Plan, with the stated aim of stopping the movement of illicit goods.
PNC: A woman died and the driver was injured when their vehicle left the road at km 12 of the Comalapa highway, in San Marcos, San Salvador Sur; police are inspecting the scene
According to the police, a woman died and the driver was injured when their vehicle left the road at km 12 of the Comalapa highway, in San Marcos, San Salvador Sur; police are inspecting the scene.
Press Secretariat: Shares Labor Minister Rolando Castro's announcement: more than 40 companies will offer hundreds of permanent jobs on Wednesday at Metrocentro San Salvador, from 8:00 a.m
The presidential press office shares Labor Minister Rolando Castro's announcement: more than 40 companies will offer hundreds of permanent jobs on Wednesday at Metrocentro San Salvador, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.
Press Secretariat: ANDA water utility head Dagoberto Arévalo explained that customers can ask to receive their water bill digitally and pay it at ANDA offices or online
According to the presidential press office, ANDA water utility head Dagoberto Arévalo explained that customers can ask to receive their water bill digitally and pay it at ANDA offices or online.
Presidency: Conveys President Bukele and the first lady's condolences on the death of Isidro Solano Barrera, father of Colonel Baltazar Solano, head of the Fire Department
The presidency conveys President Bukele and the first lady's condolences on the death of Isidro Solano Barrera, father of Colonel Baltazar Solano, head of the Fire Department.
Press Secretariat: Economy Minister María Luisa Hayem leads the 9th Ministerial Meeting on Intellectual Property this Tuesday, where El Salvador holds the pro tempore secretariat
According to the presidential press office, Economy Minister María Luisa Hayem leads the 9th Ministerial Meeting on Intellectual Property this Tuesday, where El Salvador holds the pro tempore secretariat.
Armed Forces: Shares the PNC's report of 0 homicides on Monday, October 26
The Armed Forces share the PNC's report of 0 homicides on Monday, October 26.
Press Secretariat: Repeats the report of zero homicides on Monday, October 26, and credits the government's security strategy
The presidential press office repeats the report of zero homicides on Monday, October 26, and credits the government's security strategy.
PNC: Monday, October 26 ended with 0 homicides in the country
The PNC reports that Monday, October 26 ended with 0 homicides in the country.
Press Secretariat: Warns that minimum temperatures will drop as low as 9 °C and that the cold will last until Wednesday, October 28
The presidential press office warns that minimum temperatures will drop as low as 9 °C and that the cold will last until Wednesday, October 28.
PNC: It keeps patrolling public transport stops in San Marcos, San Salvador Sur, so people get home safely at night
The PNC says it keeps patrolling public transport stops in San Marcos, San Salvador Sur, so people get home safely at night.
PNC: Says its teams keep a presence on roads and in public spaces across the country
The PNC says its teams keep a presence on roads and in public spaces across the country.
Press Secretariat: The transition to the dry season began on October 15 and ends on November 5; rain will gradually decrease, though showers are still possible
The presidential press office says the transition to the dry season began on October 15 and ends on November 5; rain will gradually decrease, though showers are still possible.
Press Secretariat: The new Eastern Region Water Quality Laboratory cost $2 million and will benefit more than 450,000 people
According to the presidential press office, the new Eastern Region Water Quality Laboratory cost $2 million and will benefit more than 450,000 people.
PNC: Says students from the National Public Security Academy are joining security patrols for visitors in San Salvador's Historic Center
The PNC says students from the National Public Security Academy are joining security patrols for visitors in San Salvador's Historic Center.