Edition of October 28, 2026
Rebel Bites
Theresa Ejiro EfiakpovworeFormer president Elías Antonio Saca is free after serving his 10-year sentence, according to prosecutors
Former president Elías Antonio Saca has had a release order in effect since Tuesday, October 27, after serving the 10-year prison sentence he received for embezzlement and money laundering in the case known as Destape a la Corrupción. According to the Attorney General's Office (FGR), Saca regained his freedom on completing that sentence. The FGR also said the assets, companies, real estate and vehicles linked to the case will remain in state custody. Saca was arrested in October 2016 and sentenced in September 2018 after admitting the charges in a plea procedure; the court also set civil liability of approximately $260.7 million.
Assembly approves $9.9 million for scholarships for 14,000 young people, funded by an IDB loan
The full Legislative Assembly approved a reform to the 2026 Budget Law that adds $9,907,110 for the Integration Directorate. The money will continue a scholarship and financial-support program for 14,000 low-income young people studying at universities, specialized institutes and technical schools. Of that amount, $9,877,110 goes to the scholarships and $30,000 to consultants, coordinating staff and computer equipment. The funds come from a $100 million Inter-American Development Bank loan approved by the Assembly on August 20. The Finance Committee had backed the measure earlier this week.
Assembly of the Pacific Airport terminal structure moves ahead
Construction of the Pacific Airport, in the Conchagua district of La Unión Sur, is moving ahead with the lifting and assembly of the structural pieces that will form the passenger terminal. Cranes and specialized machinery are raising large steel elements that will make up the building's roof. According to La Página, the project, together with Surf City 2, is part of the plans to transform the country's eastern region.
Police report zero homicides on Tuesday, October 27
According to the National Civil Police (PNC), Tuesday, October 27 ended with no homicides in the country. The PNC posted it on X after midnight, and the presidential press office credited it to the work of President Nayib Bukele's government. It is the sixth day in a row with this official report. The figure is the PNC's own; no further breakdown was published.
CID Gallup: 94% of those surveyed approve of Bukele's performance
A national CID Gallup poll, conducted October 24-27, indicates that 94% of Salvadorans surveyed approve of President Nayib Bukele's performance and 91% feel proud to have him as president. According to Diario El Mundo, the poll was based on 600 interviews with adults, with a 4% margin of error and a 95% confidence level. The survey also asked about the operation in Haiti to search for four missing air force technicians: 82% said they were worried about the risk to Salvadoran personnel, and 68% support keeping or increasing the contingent. In the September measurement, approval stood at 92%, according to El Mundo. Bukele shared the figure on X.
Peru's President Keiko Fujimori begins an official visit to El Salvador
Peru's President Keiko Fujimori was authorized to leave her country from October 28 to 31 for an official visit to El Salvador, with activities in San Salvador and the municipality of Tecoluca. She will then travel to Madrid for the 30th Ibero-American Summit, in a second leg from November 2 to 6. According to Peruvian media, First Vice President Luis Galarreta is in charge of the presidency during her absence, under a supreme resolution published in the official gazette El Peruano. Infobae reported that the agenda includes meetings with Salvadoran ministers of Justice and Public Security, Health and Education.
Public Works presents its 2027 budget and expects to start the Apopa bypass by December at the latest
Public Works Minister Romeo Rodríguez presented his ministry's proposed 2027 budget to the Legislative Assembly's Finance Committee. According to the minister, construction of the Apopa bypass could begin by December at the latest, but the tender is in the final stage of bid evaluation and World Bank reviews are still pending before it is awarded. The project calls for a new 4.8-kilometer, four-lane road with 12 bridges connecting the Carretera de Oro with the Troncal del Norte without passing through central Apopa. Infobae reports that the ministry's total proposed budget is $1,057 million, which it describes as the largest in its history; the Assembly still has to approve it.
Assembly of the first Mejicanos cable car stations will begin in November
Public Works Minister Romeo Rodríguez announced that assembly of the first stations of the Mejicanos cable car and its electromechanical components will begin between the first and second week of November. Meanwhile, tower installation continues. The project will run about 3.5 kilometers, with four stations, 23 towers and 153 cabins. According to the ministry, the system would start operating in 2027, although there is still no opening date.
49 MS gang members who operated in La Paz sentenced to up to 30 years in prison, according to prosecutors
According to the Attorney General's Office (FGR), San Salvador's Third Organized Crime Court sentenced 49 members of the Mara Salvatrucha to up to 30 years in prison for unlawful association. The FGR says the group intimidated residents of La Paz Oeste and La Paz Centro, including San Pedro Masahuat, San Antonio Masahuat, San Miguel Tepezontes and San Juan Tepezontes. Those convicted were arrested under the state of exception between March 2022 and June 2026. Prosecutors said they will face further proceedings for additional crimes.
Alianza draws 0-0 with Marathón and misses out on the Concacaf Champions Cup
Alianza FC failed to qualify for the Concacaf Champions Cup after a goalless draw against Honduras' Marathón at the Jorge "Mágico" González stadium in San Salvador. The Salvadoran side needed a win after losing the first leg 2-1 in Honduras. With the 0-0, Marathón held on to its 2-1 aggregate lead and took the spot. elsalvador.com noted that Alianza did not manage a single shot on target in the whole match.
Costa Rica moves its first 123 inmates to a mega-prison inspired by El Salvador's CECOT
On Monday, October 26, Costa Rica moved its first 123 inmates to the High Containment Center against Organized Crime (CACCO), a mega-prison inspired by El Salvador's Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT). The inmates arrived with shaved heads and orange uniforms, in images released by Costa Rica's Ministry of Justice and Peace. The prison, in Alajuela province, has capacity for 5,100 inmates. Among the first transferred are people considered highly dangerous, according to Costa Rican authorities.
Presidency: Announced the death of Óscar Bukele Hasfura, President Bukele's uncle, and conveyed the condolences of the president and the first lady
The Presidency announced the death of Óscar Bukele Hasfura, President Bukele's uncle, and conveyed the condolences of the president and the first lady.
PNC: Nine people, including four students, were injured when a truck overturned in El Cedro, Panchimalco; they are in stable condition and the driver, who had no license, is in custody
According to the PNC, nine people, including four students, were injured when a truck overturned in El Cedro, Panchimalco; they are in stable condition and the driver, who had no license, is in custody.
Press Secretariat: Cited another result from the October 24-27 CID Gallup poll: according to the post, 91% say they are proud to have Bukele as president
The Press Office cited another result from the October 24-27 CID Gallup poll: according to the post, 91% say they are proud to have Bukele as president.
Press Secretariat: Announced that the government would welcome Peru's president, Keiko Fujimori, tonight
The Press Office announced that the government would welcome Peru's president, Keiko Fujimori, tonight.
Armed Forces: Shared the PNC's report of zero homicides on Tuesday, October 27
The Armed Forces shared the PNC's report of zero homicides on Tuesday, October 27.
Press Secretariat: Said Tuesday, October 27 ended with no homicides nationwide and credited the work of President Bukele's government
The presidential press office said Tuesday, October 27 ended with no homicides nationwide and credited the work of President Bukele's government.
PNC: Said Tuesday, October 27 ended with zero homicides in the country
The PNC said Tuesday, October 27 ended with zero homicides in the country.
Press Secretariat: Published an X article titled "President Nayib Bukele's government designs order and security plan for Los Tucanes concert" (our translation)
The presidential press office published an X article titled "President Nayib Bukele's government designs order and security plan for Los Tucanes concert" (our translation).
PNC: Posted images of the atmosphere at the Mágico González stadium during the Alianza vs
The PNC posted images of the atmosphere at the Mágico González stadium during the Alianza vs. Marathón match and said families and visiting fans were enjoying it calmly.
PNC: Its riot control unit was deployed inside the Mágico González stadium during the Alianza vs
According to the PNC, its riot control unit was deployed inside the Mágico González stadium during the Alianza vs. Marathón match.
Press Secretariat: Shared a video in which First Lady Gabriela de Bukele talks about the work behind the production "El mundo mágico de Cri-Cri: Una historia para imaginar juntos"
The presidential press office shared a video in which First Lady Gabriela de Bukele talks about the work behind the production "El mundo mágico de Cri-Cri: Una historia para imaginar juntos".
Press Secretariat: Quoted the head of Civil Protection, who said there is a contingency plan with four ambulances, the Armed Forces, the PNC, rescue services and firefighters deployed in different areas of the stadium
The presidential press office quoted the head of Civil Protection, who said there is a contingency plan with four ambulances, the Armed Forces, the PNC, rescue services and firefighters deployed in different areas of the stadium.
Press Secretariat: The government handed over the upgraded drinking water system of the Pinares de Corinto Community Association in Morazán Norte, a project also supported by Spanish cooperation (AECID)
According to the presidential press office, the government handed over the upgraded drinking water system of the Pinares de Corinto Community Association in Morazán Norte, a project also supported by Spanish cooperation (AECID).
PNC: Said officers, including the K-9 unit, carried out preventive searches of fans arriving for the Alianza vs
The PNC said officers, including the K-9 unit, carried out preventive searches of fans arriving for the Alianza vs. Marathón match, while the Traffic Division managed traffic around the stadium.
Bukele: Quoted CID Gallup's post about its national poll and wrote only "94%", the approval rating for his performance according to that survey
Bukele quoted CID Gallup's post about its national poll and wrote only "94%", the approval rating for his performance according to that survey.
Bukele: Shared a post by @SA_Defensa saying the Colombian Air Force's FAC-1005 aircraft is taking part in transporting Salvadoran personnel to Haiti
Bukele shared a post by @SA_Defensa saying the Colombian Air Force's FAC-1005 aircraft is taking part in transporting Salvadoran personnel to Haiti.
PNC: Reported a police presence in school zones, bus stops and public transport in La Unión, as part of the Territorial Control Plan
The PNC reported a police presence in school zones, bus stops and public transport in La Unión, as part of the Territorial Control Plan.