Another day without a homicide

ContraPunto

For the last several months, President Mauricio Funes has been meeting with representatives from civil society in order to brainstorm ways to help sustain the March truce between the MS-13 and the 18th Street gangs. Funes said on his Saturday radio program that this stage of dialogue will be coming to a close on Monday.

Beginning next week, a committee from the Ministry of Public Security will begin processing the proposals that have been presented in consultations with universities, churches, business, media, and other sectors. The Funes administration will then put together a series of proposals on (1) a national employment pact, (2) preventing domestic violence, and (3) improving prison infrastructure and the reintegration and rehabilitation of prisoners.

Funes continued to defend the truce inspite of some recent high profile killings. Between August 1 and 24, there were 132 deaths, down from the 291 homicides committed in the same period of 2011. Average daily homicides have fallen from 14 to between 5 and 6 since the truce.

President Funes' radio appearance came one day after the country experienced it second homicide-free day.