By Luis De Jesus
03 Jun 2024, 11:55 PM EDT
Security agents from El Salvador thwarted an alleged attempted act of terrorism during the inauguration of President Nayib Bukele for his second consecutive term last Saturday, as sources from the Presidential House confirmed to EFE this Monday.
The National Civil Police reported on Friday the capture of seven leaders of war veterans, accused of planning attacks with explosives in various parts of the country during the inauguration on June 1.
The veterans, belonging to the so-called Salvadoran Insurrection Brigade, allegedly aimed to detonate gas stations, supermarkets and public institutions. Part of the explosives were located in the Guazapa district, 28 kilometers north of the capital.
Among the seized material were bags of ammonium sulfate, supposedly used to maximize damage when the explosives exploded, as well as iron and plastic pipes.
So far it is unknown if the detainees have been brought before the corresponding courts to be prosecuted.
The Attorney General’s Office has not yet provided more information about the arrests or additional details about the materials found, nor has it confirmed whether an investigation is underway, the news agency indicates.
A large security device, made up of military and police, was deployed in San Salvador before and during Bukele’s inauguration ceremony. This included placing snipers on top of buildings near the National Palace, where the event took place.
President Bukele has stated that El Salvador has become the safest country in the Western Hemisphere, largely attributing this reduction in homicides to the implementation of the emergency regime, which suspends some civil rights to combat gangs.
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