El Salvadoran authorities burn $67 million worth of confiscated cocaine
- El Salvador authorities burned 2.7 tonnes of cocaine worth $67 million in May.
- The seized drugs were set on fire as part of a crackdown on drug trafficking.
- The operation led to the arrest of seven foreign nationals for drug trafficking.
El Salvadoran authorities burned $67 million worth of cocaine seized from two boats transporting 2,699 kilos of the drug off the Pacific coast. The traffickers, including nationals from Ecuador, Colombia, and Mexico, were arrested and placed in pre-trial detention. The cocaine was set ablaze in a forest near San Salvador. The country has been cracking down on drug trafficking, with maritime routes being a key method for cartels. President Bukele, who was reelected with 85% of the vote, has declared a state of emergency and initiated mass arrests of suspected gang members. The government has transferred thousands of gang members to a new mega prison to address high crime rates. However, concerns have been raised about human rights violations and the erosion of democratic institutions under Bukele's administration.