El Salvador extends state of emergency for third time to curb gangs

A general view of a government poster that reads, “We need your help to keep capturing terrorists", after El Salvador's Congress extended emergency powers to fight gangs for one more month, in Soyapango, El Salvador June 21, 2022. Picture taken with a drone. REUTERS/Jose Cabezas

SAN SALVADOR (Reuters) - El Salvador extended a controversial state of emergency to combat gangs for the third time on Tuesday, prompting criticism from human rights organizations over the suspension of constitutional protections.

President Nayib Bukele's government first passed what was meant to be a 30-day measure in late March after the Central American country's murder rate spiked.