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With 57 votes, the Legislative Assembly approved a new extension of the state of emergency, which will remain in effect for 30 days, from august 29 to september 27, 2026. This marks the 54th extension since the measure was implemented on march 27, 2022.
During the session, Nuevas Ideas Representative Walter Alemán noted that, since the state of emergency took effect, El Salvador has gone 1,190 days without homicides. He also pointed out that since june 2019, when the Plan Control Territorial began, the country has gone 1,304 days without violent deaths attributed to organized crime.
This trend is also reflected in the cumulative figures for 2026. According to data presented during the legislative discussion, the country has recorded 202 days without murders so far this year. Lawmakers maintain that these results demonstrate a significant reduction in violence and a change in the country’s security conditions.
Another indicator mentioned was the homicide rate, which fell from 106.3 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2015 to 1.3 in 2025. Likewise, authorities report 92,838 gang members arrested since the implementation of the state of emergency, as part of efforts to reclaim territories that had been under the control of criminal organizations.
During the debate, lawmakers highlighted that the improvement in security conditions has also had an impact on other sectors, particularly tourism. Walter Alemán stated that El Salvador has become an international benchmark in terms of security, while Walter Coto argued that the restoration of state authority has allowed the population to enjoy greater freedom.
Security has also been linked to the growth of tourism. As of july 2026, El Salvador had received 2.9 million international visitors, 24% more than during the same period in 2025. By the end of the year, 4.2 million tourists are projected, while during the first half of the year the sector generated more than US$2.1 billion in foreign exchange, with a projection of US$3.6 billion for all of 2026.
With the approval of this new extension, the state of emergency will remain in effect until september 27. The measure continues to focus on the security measures implemented since 2022, while authorities and lawmakers defend its continuation based on the reduction in homicides and the results achieved in public safety.
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