Funes Executes Alternate Strategy for Reducing Violence

In his administration’s continued attempts to combat violent crime in El Salvador, President Mauricio Funes implemented a 60-day ban on arms. The restriction on carrying arms applies to 27 municipalities where levels of violence are particularly concerning. Since security funds are relatively low, the ban represents one of the many ways the Funes Administration is attempting to address security concerns in the nation, such as the criminalization of gang membership in September, 2010. According to Funes’ Communication Secretariat, areas where the measure is applied see dramatic decreases in crime indicators. Second only to Honduras, El Salvador maintains the highest homicide rate in the region.