The El Salvador legislature approved President Nayib Bukele’s request to extend the state of emergency, which has been ongoing for two years, for 30 days. The approval by the 147th plenary session marks an extension number 24 since the decree was declared.

Speaking after the approval, Ernesto Castro, president of the assembly, said, “Defending the life and well-being of Salvadorans is the reason why we were elected. We will never disappoint those who have believed in us. We will continue voting for extensions of the emergency regime as many times as necessary.” He also said the president has the continued support of the legislature in his work toward a better country.

The vice president of the legislature, Suecy Estrada, reported that under the new government, 571 days have been recorded without homicides. She went on to say:

The decisions that have been taken from the Assembly have contributed to the protection of the lives of people and the reduction of extortion. We will extend the emergency regime and we are committed to continuing to do so as many times as necessary until there are no gang members on the streets. We are not going to allow Salvadorans to flee their homes again because of these criminals.

The state of emergency was originally declared on March 27, 2022, to allow the government to deal with the increased number of killings by organized criminal gangs. The decree allows the Salvadoran government to curtain certain constitutional freedoms, including the right to legal defense, due process and presumption of innocence.

Under the state of emergency, the government has put in place strict measures prohibiting public gatherings. Human rights groups have accused the government of arbitrary arrests and violations of human rights. Last year, Amnesty International released a report outlining the deterioration of human rights in the country. In the report, the organization made allegations of torture and cruel treatment in detention centers.