Collapsed Government Talks with MS-13 Sparked Record Homicides in El Salvador, Audios Reveal

El Faro obtained audio recordings of conversations between a senior Bukele administration official and the Mara Salvatrucha, detailing the unraveling of covert negotiations for a reduction in homicides. In one of the recordings Carlos Marroquín, the official leading the talks, blamed Security Minister Gustavo Villatoro for the collapse that led to an unprecedented wave of violence in March. He also confirmed to the gang that he personally took Helmer Canales Rivera, alias “Crook,” out of prison to Guatemala despite pending criminal charges and a U.S. extradition request.