El Salvador spying suspicions unlikely to harm Bukele

Significance Another body, found on March 15, is believed to be that of a policeman but is yet to be identified. Since early 2015, murder rates have soared, with police officers in particular targeted. Meanwhile, gangs have become more organised, and extortionist practices have increased. Hardline 'mano dura' approaches to crime are doing little to improve security. The leftist Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front (FMLN) government of President Salvador Sanchez Ceren has rejected calls for a renewed gang truce, instead responding to the violence with increased militarisation and the possible introduction of emergency security measures that could potentially exacerbate crime while constraining public freedoms. Impacts Extortion, which traditionally affected mainly small and medium-sized businesses, will increasingly affect larger companies. Poor security will incur costs for firms which will increasingly require private protection or be forced temporarily to cease activities. As criticism of the FMLN intensifies, internal divisions may grow and the party may struggle to govern effectively.

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Amnesty law ruling may not reopen cases in El Salvador

Emerald Expert Briefings ◽

10.1108/oxan-db212453 ◽

2016 ◽

Keyword(s):

Civil War ◽

Supreme Court ◽

El Salvador ◽

Political Stability ◽

Court Ruling ◽

Supreme Court Ruling ◽

Content Type ◽

The Supreme Court ◽

Tit For Tat

Subject Amnesty law implications. Significance On July 13, the Supreme Court declared unconstitutional a civil-war amnesty law, which has been in force since 1993. This has led to fears of investigations against current politicians, and warnings that political stability could be undermined. Impacts The fall-out from the Supreme Court ruling will place a renewed focus on the independence of El Salvador's judiciary. The fact that both main parties are involved may discourage politicians from engaging in tit-for-tat allegations. There will be considerable military pressure on ARENA to oppose reopening civil-war cases.

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Latin American taxi app competition to grow

Emerald Expert Briefings ◽

10.1108/oxan-db225850 ◽

2017 ◽

Keyword(s):

Latin America ◽

El Salvador ◽

Business Model ◽

Latin American ◽

Smartphone Apps ◽

Content Type ◽

Taxi Drivers ◽

Market Dominance ◽

New Business ◽

American Cities

Subject Taxi apps in Latin America. Significance Uber in El Salvador agreed on November 10 to abide by existing operating laws, after Vice Transport Minister Nelson Garcia warned that vehicles could be seized if they did not comply. Driver apps are controversial with traditional transport companies in Latin America, as elsewhere, and legislation often lags behind their new business model, exacerbating tensions with taxi drivers in particular. The service is nevertheless growing rapidly across the region, with local rivals positioning themselves to challenge Uber’s market dominance. Impacts Smartphone apps will grow even further in popularity because they address key needs for urban dwellers. Uber will struggle to shake off safety concerns in many Latin American cities in which it operates. Local rivals will consolidate further in an attempt to compete effectively with Uber.

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Refugee surge creates Belize security fears

Emerald Expert Briefings ◽

10.1108/oxan-db221849 ◽

2017 ◽

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

El Salvador ◽

The United States ◽

Central American ◽

Drug Trade ◽

Content Type ◽

Gang Activity ◽

To Receive

Subject Belize migration and security. Significance High levels of gang-related violence, and a tougher approach to migration in the United States, have sparked a surge in refugees seeking to enter Belize from the Northern Triangle countries of Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras. However, Belizean authorities are reluctant to receive them, citing concerns about the potential for increased gang activity. Impacts Belize’s location could see it become an important transit point in the international drug trade. There is potential for conflict between Central American and Belizean gangs. Costa Rica’s strong institutions make it relatively well equipped to deal with an influx of refugees.

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COVID-19 will hit northern Central America hard

Emerald Expert Briefings ◽

10.1108/oxan-db252544 ◽

2020 ◽

Keyword(s):

El Salvador ◽

Central America ◽

Early Stage ◽

Healthcare Systems ◽

External Support ◽

Content Type ◽

Multilateral Aid ◽

Drug Sales ◽

Prison Overcrowding ◽

Western European

Subject COVID-19. Significance COVID-19 case numbers in Northern Triangle countries of El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras remain low by western European and US standards but are probably underestimated. All three countries’ governments implemented nationwide curfews at an early stage in the pandemic, ordering the closure of non-essential businesses. However, factors such as poverty, prison overcrowding and the continuation of US deportations perpetuate contagion risks, threatening the region’s fragile healthcare systems. Impacts Mobility restrictions will reduce gangs’ capacity to extort, pushing them towards other crimes such as robbery and drug sales. Escalating poverty will prompt fresh outbreaks of violence and popular unrest once the lockdowns come to an end. External support for both fiscal accounts and balances of payments will be key to overcoming the crisis. Corruption opportunities will increase as governments enact fiscal measures to address the crisis and countries receive multilateral aid.

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