“El Salvador extends the state of exception for 30 more days in its 52nd extension”

“n

With a large majority of 56 votes in favor and only one vote against, the Legislative Assembly of El Salvador approved this June 24, 2026, during the development of ordinary session number 115, the 52nd extension of the state of exception.

n” “n

This extraordinary measure, which has been in effect in the country since March 2022, has definitively consolidated itself as the Executive Branch’s main resource to confront gang structures and maintain public security levels throughout the national territory.

n” “n

With this new extension approved by the State body, the guidelines of the exception regime will remain in force for 30 more days. This means the extension of the suspension of certain specific constitutional guarantees, an action that the authorities defend under the stated objective of shielding and consolidating the historical advances that have been achieved in the frontal fight against organized crime.

n” “n

Following the vote in the blue chamber, different legislators justified the need to maintain the measure. The deputy from the Nuevas Ideas bench, Caleb Navarro, defended the continuity of the decree based on the drastic and significant reduction of homicides nationwide.

n” “n

We recommend reading:

n” “n

The parliamentarian highlighted that El Salvador has recorded a historic figure of 1,136 days without homicides since the beginning of the state of exception, totaling 149 days with zero murders so far in 2026 (22 of them in the month of June). Likewise, he stressed that the crime rate has dropped to 1.3 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants and that the capture of more than 91,000 gang members has completely weakened the operational capacity of criminal structures.

n” “n

With 57 votes in favor and one against, the deputies of the Legislative Assembly approved the 52nd extension of the state of exception this June 24, 2026.

n” “n

Similarly, Deputy Walter Coto reflected on the beginnings of President Nayib Bukele’s security project and the impact of the legal tools granted by Congress. The legislator highlighted that, according to his mathematical projections, the strategy has saved thousands of lives by curbing the daily death average of the past.

n” “n

Navarro added that this change is the reason why “people want this political project to continue,” since now parents can see their children go out to study or work without fear of violence.

n” “n

Poll confirms that Salvadorans approve of the state of exception

n” “n

Despite questioning from international organizations, the vast majority of the Salvadoran population overwhelmingly approves of the continuation of the state of exception. This is demonstrated by the data obtained in public opinion polls conducted by the University Institute of Public Opinion of the José Simeón Cañas Central American University (Iudop – UCA).

n” “n

Citizen support for this state policy remains firm, although recent studies reveal that there are important nuances among the population regarding the future and the implementation of the measure:

n” “n

n
• Support for the extension: The most recent Iudop survey revealed that 68.9% of Salvadorans believe that the state of exception should continue to be extended for more time due to the immediate effects in their neighborhoods and communities.
n

n” “n

Results from the Iudop study reflect that civil security and the reduction of criminal violence concentrated the population’s favorable opinions in June 2026.

n” “n

n
• Search for permanent alternatives: On the other hand, approximately 28% or 29% of respondents expressed that, after four years, it is time to seek permanent alternative measures.
n

n” “n

This sector suggests focusing efforts on improving fiscal criminal investigation and strengthening community police and military presence, rather than relying indefinitely on an emergency decree.

n”