News / More

El Salvador criminal gangs kill 5 bus drivers

Tuesday, 28 July 2015 1:30 PM [ Last Update: Tuesday, 28 July 2015 1:29 PM ]

This photo taken on April 24, 2015 in Izalco, El Salvador, shows gang members inside a bus as they are transferred to a high-security prison .( AFP Photo)

Organized criminal gang members in El Salvador have shot dead five bus drivers and one other transport worker since Sunday in the violence-plagued country.

Crime gangs, who have been trying to pressure the government to ease a crackdown on their operations and secure less harsh conditions for imprisoned members, also torched two buses over the weekend.

Police were preparing a major operation to arrest gang members involved in the attacks.

El Salvador is flooded with criminal gangs, causing a spike in violence since last year.

Meanwhile, government officials have resisted against the pressure, saying they will not give in to the pressure from criminal groups.

Minister of Communications Eugenio Chicas described the murder of the bus drivers as "terrorism", and said, "Sane people don't deal with criminals."

He called on locals not to interact with the criminals and isolate the gang members.

Since taking office last summer, President Sanchez Ceren has been trying to eradicate organized crime in the country.

Organized criminal gangs are estimated to have 70,000 members across the country, 10,000 of whom are behind bars.

El Salvador with 6.34 million population is a tiny Central American nation known for its strict traditional values, beautiful beaches and mountainous landscape. Its capital, San Salvador, has a dramatic backdrop of volcanoes.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk