Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
San Salvador (Agenzia Fides) – Violence carried out by the feared "maras" (youth gangs) of Central America continues to claim lives in the capital of El Salvador, San Salvador. On the afternoon of Sunday, June 20, 17 people were killed in attacks on public transport, 14 of them burnt alive. According to authorities, 3 other people were shot to death and at least 15 were wounded in two attacks in the north of the capital, in the municipality of Mexico. The root of the problem is known: the extortion in public transport. This year alone, 80 workers have been killed and 15 buses burned, however, there had never been a bus burnt with passengers inside, as occurred on June 20. After the first case of a bus being set on fire, some gang members stopped another bus on the same route and opened fire on passengers, killing two girls and a man. The President of El Salvador, Mauricio Funes, announced the arrest of 7 persons for their alleged involvement in the attacks, acts which he described as "pure terrorism."
The Archbishop of San Salvador, Archbishop José Luis Escobar Alas, thanked the authorities for having taken the initiative to facilitate the legal means to fight crime, noting that the fight against this scourge must be accompanied by comprehensive plans for the social reintegration of offenders. The Archbishop spoke in the usual press conference held every Sunday, saying: "We are pleased that the government is taking an active part in the process and that they are speaking of simplifying the juridical means to reinforce authority. However, this must be a thorough process, proposing plans that are genuinely effective, concrete and timely actions that can really bring control to the situation."
The population of the surrounding area where these violent incidents have taken place has publicly declared: Saturday, June 26, over 500 Salvadorans marched to demand an end to violence. The march, during which participants wore white and carried banners, took place in the municipality of Mejicanos, an area in which the events occurred, located about 3 kilometers from San Salvador. Along with the residents, there were also students and other people from adjacent municipalities of Cuscatancingo and Ayutuxtepeque. (CE) (Agenzia Fides 30/06/2010)
