More than a dozen confidential reports from El Salvador’s National Civil Police obtained by InSight Crime reveal that, although “weakened” after a year and a half under a state of exception, the three main gangs operating in El Salvador remain a subtle threat. The Mara Salvatrucha (MS13), Barrio 18 Sureños, and Barrio 18 Revolucionarios still maintain 54 armed groups, mostly in rural areas. Nearly 43,000 people who have been profiled as gang members remain at large. These people have been classified into three categories: active members (homeboys), aspiring members (chequeos), and “collaborators,” a broad designation for those who allegedly work with or for these gangs, assisting in a number of tasks. These numbers call into question the triumphalism of President Nayib Bukele’s administration, which has mounted an unprecedented offensive against these criminal groups. By Roberto Valencia. Full Text -> InSigjtCrime

Investigative journalism outlet El Faro revealed how a group of Venezuelan advisors formed an unofficial ring of influence between President Bukele and his cabinet. By Carlos Rodríguez López. Full Text -> CaracasChronicles

According to the report, Bukele and his inner circle received up to $2 million in loans, either in a personal capacity or through companies related to Alba Petróleos, a PDVSA subsidiary in El Salvador. Additionally, it states that this money was part of a massive money-laundering scheme carried out in Venezuela, El Salvador, the United States and Panama, among other countries. By Héctor Silva Ávalos.

Amnesty International reported Monday that authorities in Venezuela, El Salvador and Paraguay have held tens of thousands of people in inadequate state-run quarantine centers. The report deemed the facilities to be a “form of repression.” By Cassie Maas. Full Text-> Jurist

The recent drug trafficking accusations levied against Maduro and several other members of his administration have provided yet more evidence of the criminal ties between Venezuela and shady allies in El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua. By Parker Asmann and Héctor Silva Ávalos. Full Text -> InSight Crime