A tragic military helicopter crash in rural El Salvador resulted in the deaths of nine individuals, including the national police director, high-ranking police officials, and a fugitive banker. The crash occurred after the banker, Manuel Coto, was captured in Honduras and handed over to Salvadoran authorities at the border. Coto, former manager of the COSAVI savings and loan cooperative, was wanted for embezzlement of over $35 million. The cause of the crash is currently under investigation.
The crash took place in the area of San Eduardo, Pasaquina, La Union, and the victims included the director general of the National Civil Police, Mauricio Arriaza Chicas, and two deputies. El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele expressed that the incident could not be dismissed as a simple accident and called for a thorough investigation to determine the ultimate consequences. Bukele indicated that international assistance would be requested in the investigation process. Arriaza Chicas, who was at the forefront of the government’s fight against gangs, was described as a national hero by Bukele.
Despite the tragic loss of Arriaza Chicas, security specialist Luis Contreras believes that the impact on the war against gangs will not be negative. Contreras noted that there are experienced individuals in El Salvador who could step in to replace the late director. The government claims to have neutralized the gangs to a large extent, with a reported 90% reduction in their capacity to react to law enforcement efforts. While crime has not been completely eliminated, it has been significantly reduced through the government’s measures.
Flags across El Salvador were ordered to fly at half-staff for three days in honor of Arriaza Chicas and the other victims of the helicopter crash. The bodies of the deceased were transported to the capital in a procession guarded by police. Bukele’s administration has faced criticism for its harsh crackdown on gangs and mass arrests without due process. However, the government’s efforts have been successful in reducing gang activity, according to official claims.
The helicopter crash comes at a time of heightened tension in El Salvador, with the capture of Manuel Coto and the subsequent tragic incident raising questions about the circumstances surrounding both events. The involvement of high-ranking officials in the crash has added a layer of complexity to an already sensitive situation. Investigations into the crash are ongoing, with international assistance being sought to ensure a thorough and transparent examination of the events leading up to the tragic incident.
