- Salvadoran adults hold differing views on the best way to curb unlawful activity, according to a poll by CID-Gallup published in El Diario de Hoy. 29 per cent of respondents support deploying the army to fight criminals, while 24 per cent would prefer to enact tougher punishments.

In addition, 21 per cent of respondents believe the death penalty should be reinstated, 15 per cent of respondents would hire more police officers, and 12 per cent would consent to trying minors as adults.

Antonio Saca—a media businessman—was elected in March 2004 as the candidate for the ruling conservative Nationalist Republican Alliance (ARENA), garnering 57.73 per cent of the vote. ARENA candidates have won the last four presidential elections in the Central American country.

Following El Salvador's civil war, several gangs or "maras" spawned in several parts of the country. The Mara Salvatrucha and the 18th Street Gang originated in California, where many Salvadoran refugees lived. The two warring factions are still battling in El Salvador.

In 2004, Saca introduced a crackdown on gang activity, which included the deployment of more than 1,000 soldiers to assist police officers in arresting mob leaders. Last year, 3,812 murders were registered in El Salvador, up from 2,933 in 2004. Only 35 per cent of respondents express some or complete confidence in the rehabilitation of the criminals who reside in Salvadoran prisons.

Earlier this month, Saca declared that there had been a failed attempt to assassinate him, adding, "I wish to send a message to the people who want to kill me. We are not going to cease in our attempt to put the country in order and will keep detaining drug traffickers and people connected with organized crime."

Polling Data

Which of these solutions would be the best to deal with crime in El Salvador?

Do you have confidence in criminals being rehabilitated in Salvadoran prisons?

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