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El Salvador gangs announce re-launch of 2012 truce | El Salvador gangs announce re-launch of 2012 truce |
(about 11 hours later) | |
Leaders of five of El Salvador's powerful gangs say they will stop attacking police and military in a bid to re-launch a gang truce agreed two years ago. | Leaders of five of El Salvador's powerful gangs say they will stop attacking police and military in a bid to re-launch a gang truce agreed two years ago. |
The gangs want the government to provide "negotiating facilities" and promised to avoid "civilian" attacks. | The gangs want the government to provide "negotiating facilities" and promised to avoid "civilian" attacks. |
The 2012 truce initially reduced murder rates by 40%, but killings have doubled since 2013 to around 11 killings a day. | The 2012 truce initially reduced murder rates by 40%, but killings have doubled since 2013 to around 11 killings a day. |
In a statement, the gangs said it was a "second chance" for peace. | In a statement, the gangs said it was a "second chance" for peace. |
Spokesmen from the MS-13, Barrio 18, Mao Mao, Maquina, Miranda Locos 13 and other gangs said: " We view this new effort as a second chance for the country to achieve peace." | |
President Salvador Sanchez Ceren, who took office on 1 June, has not recognised the gang's truce and said he would develop his own strategy for reducing crime. | President Salvador Sanchez Ceren, who took office on 1 June, has not recognised the gang's truce and said he would develop his own strategy for reducing crime. |
The gangs warned that violence would not be reduced unless they could give their co-operation. | The gangs warned that violence would not be reduced unless they could give their co-operation. |
"If we are part of the problem, we can be part of the solution," they said. | "If we are part of the problem, we can be part of the solution," they said. |
The gangs said they wanted the government to provide support to church and civil group mediators who could facilitate dialogue and prevent conflict between rivals. | The gangs said they wanted the government to provide support to church and civil group mediators who could facilitate dialogue and prevent conflict between rivals. |
Police say there are around 60,000 gang members in El Salvador, many with roots in the US city of Los Angeles. | Police say there are around 60,000 gang members in El Salvador, many with roots in the US city of Los Angeles. |
Since 2012 there has been an increase in attacks against military and police premises and more reprisals against officer's families, police said. | Since 2012 there has been an increase in attacks against military and police premises and more reprisals against officer's families, police said. |
The steep rise in violence this year has added impetus to the migration of youths and children to the US. | The steep rise in violence this year has added impetus to the migration of youths and children to the US. |
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