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Negotiating With a Gangster? Welcome to El Salvador's Hell!

Published September 6th, 2020 - 06:34 GMT

Gangs have terrorized people with extortion and killings for years. El Salvador's government cut deals with leaders of the MS-13 gang in an attempt to reduce the killings.

Members of the MS-13 and 18 gangs were packed into overcrowded cells  at three prisons in El Salvador.

The MS-13 gang, a reference to its Spanish name “Mara Salvatrucha,” has footholds across Central America, Mexico and the United States, where it is linked to human trafficking, drug networks and targeted killings.

In June, U.S. authorities arrested and charged more than two dozen alleged MS-13 leaders and members, including one suspected gang boss facing terrorism charges.

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Members of the MS-13 and 18 gangs remain inside their cells during a visit by the Director of the General Directorate of Penal Centers, Osiris Luna (out of frame), at the maximum security prison in Izalco, Sonsonate, El Salvador, on September 4, 2020. Authorities from the General Directorate of Penal Centres (DGCP) visited three Salvadorean prisons, some of maximum security, to check the situation of inmates and carry out searches amid the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic. Yuri CORTEZ / AFP

Members of the MS-13 and 18 gangs remain inside their cells during a visit by the Director of the General Directorate of Penal Centers, Osiris Luna (out of frame), at the maximum security prison in Izalco, Sonsonate, El Salvador, on September 4, 2020. Authorities from the General Directorate of Penal Centres (DGCP) visited three Salvadorean prisons, some of maximum security, to check the situation of inmates and carry out searches amid the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic. Yuri CORTEZ / AFP

Gang members remain in an overcrowded cell at the Quezaltepeque prison, in Quezaltepeque, El Salvador, on September 4, 2020. Authorities from the General Directorate of Penal Centres (DGCP) visited three Salvadorean prisons, some of maximum security, to check the situation of inmates and carry out searches amid the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic. Yuri CORTEZ / AFP

Gang members remain in an overcrowded cell at the Quezaltepeque prison, in Quezaltepeque, El Salvador, on September 4, 2020. Authorities from the General Directorate of Penal Centres (DGCP) visited three Salvadorean prisons, some of maximum security, to check the situation of inmates and carry out searches amid the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic. Yuri CORTEZ / AFP

A member of the 18 gang looks on from an overcrowded cell at the Quezaltepeque prison, in Quezaltepeque, El Salvador, on September 4, 2020. Authorities from the General Directorate of Penal Centres (DGCP) visited three Salvadorean prisons, some of maximum security, to check the situation of inmates and carry out searches amid the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic. Yuri CORTEZ / AFP

A member of the 18 gang looks on from an overcrowded cell at the Quezaltepeque prison, in Quezaltepeque, El Salvador, on September 4, 2020. Authorities from the General Directorate of Penal Centres (DGCP) visited three Salvadorean prisons, some of maximum security, to check the situation of inmates and carry out searches amid the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic. Yuri CORTEZ / AFP

Members of the MS-13 and 18 gangs remain in an overcrowded cell at the Quezaltepeque prison, in Quezaltepeque, El Salvador, on September 4, 2020. Authorities from the General Directorate of Penal Centres (DGCP) visited three Salvadorean prisons, some of maximum security, to check the situation of inmates and carry out searches amid the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic. Yuri CORTEZ / AFP

Members of the MS-13 and 18 gangs remain in an overcrowded cell at the Quezaltepeque prison, in Quezaltepeque, El Salvador, on September 4, 2020. Authorities from the General Directorate of Penal Centres (DGCP) visited three Salvadorean prisons, some of maximum security, to check the situation of inmates and carry out searches amid the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic. Yuri CORTEZ / AFP

Members of the "Mara 18" and "MS-13" gangs are seen in custody of guards at a maximum security prison in Izalco, Sonsonate, El Salvador on September 4, 2020, amid the new coronavirus pandemic. The salvadoran government showed Friday the "strict" reclusion conditions of gang members in the country's prisons, amid a controversy generated by a journalistic report that denounced alleged benefits to imprisoned gang members to reduce homicides. Yuri CORTEZ / AFP

Members of the "Mara 18" and "MS-13" gangs are seen in custody of guards at a maximum security prison in Izalco, Sonsonate, El Salvador on September 4, 2020, amid the new coronavirus pandemic. The salvadoran government showed Friday the "strict" reclusion conditions of gang members in the country's prisons, amid a controversy generated by a journalistic report that denounced alleged benefits to imprisoned gang members to reduce homicides. Yuri CORTEZ / AFP

Handcuffs hang from a railing during a search operation at the maximum security prison in Izalco, Sonsonate, El Salvador, on September 4, 2020. Authorities from the General Directorate of Penal Centres (DGCP) visited three Salvadorean prisons, some of maximum security, to check the situation of inmates and carry out searches amid the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic. Yuri CORTEZ / AFP

Handcuffs hang from a railing during a search operation at the maximum security prison in Izalco, Sonsonate, El Salvador, on September 4, 2020. Authorities from the General Directorate of Penal Centres (DGCP) visited three Salvadorean prisons, some of maximum security, to check the situation of inmates and carry out searches amid the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic. Yuri CORTEZ / AFP

Prison guards keep watch at members of the MS-13 and 18 gangs as a search operation is carried out at the maximum security prison in Izalco, Sonsonate, El Salvador, on September 4, 2020. Authorities from the General Directorate of Penal Centres (DGCP) visited three Salvadorean prisons, some of maximum security, to check the situation of inmates and carry out searches amid the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic. Yuri CORTEZ / AFP

Prison guards keep watch at members of the MS-13 and 18 gangs as a search operation is carried out at the maximum security prison in Izalco, Sonsonate, El Salvador, on September 4, 2020. Authorities from the General Directorate of Penal Centres (DGCP) visited three Salvadorean prisons, some of maximum security, to check the situation of inmates and carry out searches amid the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic. Yuri CORTEZ / AFP

A gang member sits on the floor as a search operation is carried out at the maximum security prison in Izalco, Sonsonate, El Salvador, on September 4, 2020. Authorities from the General Directorate of Penal Centres (DGCP) visited three Salvadorean prisons, some of maximum security, to check the situation of inmates and carry out searches amid the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic. Yuri CORTEZ / AFP

A gang member sits on the floor as a search operation is carried out at the maximum security prison in Izalco, Sonsonate, El Salvador, on September 4, 2020. Authorities from the General Directorate of Penal Centres (DGCP) visited three Salvadorean prisons, some of maximum security, to check the situation of inmates and carry out searches amid the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic. Yuri CORTEZ / AFP

Members of the MS-13 and 18 gangs remain in an overcrowded cell at the Quezaltepeque prison, in Quezaltepeque, El Salvador, on September 4, 2020. Authorities from the General Directorate of Penal Centres (DGCP) visited three Salvadorean prisons, some of maximum security, to check the situation of inmates and carry out searches amid the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic. Yuri CORTEZ / AFP

Members of the MS-13 and 18 gangs remain in an overcrowded cell at the Quezaltepeque prison, in Quezaltepeque, El Salvador, on September 4, 2020. Authorities from the General Directorate of Penal Centres (DGCP) visited three Salvadorean prisons, some of maximum security, to check the situation of inmates and carry out searches amid the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic. Yuri CORTEZ / AFP

Members of the MS-13 and 18 gangs remain inside their cells during a visit by the Director of the General Directorate of Penal Centers, Osiris Luna (out of frame), at the maximum security prison in Izalco, Sonsonate, El Salvador, on September 4, 2020. Authorities from the General Directorate of Penal Centres (DGCP) visited three Salvadorean prisons, some of maximum security, to check the situation of inmates and carry out searches amid the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic. Yuri CORTEZ / AFP
Gang members remain in an overcrowded cell at the Quezaltepeque prison, in Quezaltepeque, El Salvador, on September 4, 2020. Authorities from the General Directorate of Penal Centres (DGCP) visited three Salvadorean prisons, some of maximum security, to check the situation of inmates and carry out searches amid the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic. Yuri CORTEZ / AFP
A member of the 18 gang looks on from an overcrowded cell at the Quezaltepeque prison, in Quezaltepeque, El Salvador, on September 4, 2020. Authorities from the General Directorate of Penal Centres (DGCP) visited three Salvadorean prisons, some of maximum security, to check the situation of inmates and carry out searches amid the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic. Yuri CORTEZ / AFP
Members of the MS-13 and 18 gangs remain in an overcrowded cell at the Quezaltepeque prison, in Quezaltepeque, El Salvador, on September 4, 2020. Authorities from the General Directorate of Penal Centres (DGCP) visited three Salvadorean prisons, some of maximum security, to check the situation of inmates and carry out searches amid the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic. Yuri CORTEZ / AFP
Members of the "Mara 18" and "MS-13" gangs are seen in custody of guards at a maximum security prison in Izalco, Sonsonate, El Salvador on September 4, 2020, amid the new coronavirus pandemic. The salvadoran government showed Friday the "strict" reclusion conditions of gang members in the country's prisons, amid a controversy generated by a journalistic report that denounced alleged benefits to imprisoned gang members to reduce homicides. Yuri CORTEZ / AFP
Handcuffs hang from a railing during a search operation at the maximum security prison in Izalco, Sonsonate, El Salvador, on September 4, 2020. Authorities from the General Directorate of Penal Centres (DGCP) visited three Salvadorean prisons, some of maximum security, to check the situation of inmates and carry out searches amid the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic. Yuri CORTEZ / AFP
Prison guards keep watch at members of the MS-13 and 18 gangs as a search operation is carried out at the maximum security prison in Izalco, Sonsonate, El Salvador, on September 4, 2020. Authorities from the General Directorate of Penal Centres (DGCP) visited three Salvadorean prisons, some of maximum security, to check the situation of inmates and carry out searches amid the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic. Yuri CORTEZ / AFP
A gang member sits on the floor as a search operation is carried out at the maximum security prison in Izalco, Sonsonate, El Salvador, on September 4, 2020. Authorities from the General Directorate of Penal Centres (DGCP) visited three Salvadorean prisons, some of maximum security, to check the situation of inmates and carry out searches amid the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic. Yuri CORTEZ / AFP
Members of the MS-13 and 18 gangs remain in an overcrowded cell at the Quezaltepeque prison, in Quezaltepeque, El Salvador, on September 4, 2020. Authorities from the General Directorate of Penal Centres (DGCP) visited three Salvadorean prisons, some of maximum security, to check the situation of inmates and carry out searches amid the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic. Yuri CORTEZ / AFP
Members of the MS-13 and 18 gangs remain inside their cells during a visit by the Director of the General Directorate of Penal Centers, Osiris Luna (out of frame), at the maximum security prison in Izalco, Sonsonate, El Salvador, on September 4, 2020. Authorities from the General Directorate of Penal Centres (DGCP) visited three Salvadorean prisons, some of maximum security, to check the situation of inmates and carry out searches amid the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic. Yuri CORTEZ / AFP
Members of the MS-13 and 18 gangs remain inside their cells during a visit by the Director of the General Directorate of Penal Centers, Osiris Luna (out of frame), at the maximum security prison in Izalco, Sonsonate, El Salvador, on September 4, 2020. Authorities from the General Directorate of Penal Centres (DGCP) visited three Salvadorean prisons, some of maximum security, to check the situation of inmates and carry out searches amid the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic. Yuri CORTEZ / AFP
Gang members remain in an overcrowded cell at the Quezaltepeque prison, in Quezaltepeque, El Salvador, on September 4, 2020. Authorities from the General Directorate of Penal Centres (DGCP) visited three Salvadorean prisons, some of maximum security, to check the situation of inmates and carry out searches amid the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic. Yuri CORTEZ / AFP
Gang members remain in an overcrowded cell at the Quezaltepeque prison, in Quezaltepeque, El Salvador, on September 4, 2020. Authorities from the General Directorate of Penal Centres (DGCP) visited three Salvadorean prisons, some of maximum security, to check the situation of inmates and carry out searches amid the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic. Yuri CORTEZ / AFP
A member of the 18 gang looks on from an overcrowded cell at the Quezaltepeque prison, in Quezaltepeque, El Salvador, on September 4, 2020. Authorities from the General Directorate of Penal Centres (DGCP) visited three Salvadorean prisons, some of maximum security, to check the situation of inmates and carry out searches amid the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic. Yuri CORTEZ / AFP
A member of the 18 gang looks on from an overcrowded cell at the Quezaltepeque prison, in Quezaltepeque, El Salvador, on September 4, 2020. Authorities from the General Directorate of Penal Centres (DGCP) visited three Salvadorean prisons, some of maximum security, to check the situation of inmates and carry out searches amid the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic. Yuri CORTEZ / AFP
Members of the MS-13 and 18 gangs remain in an overcrowded cell at the Quezaltepeque prison, in Quezaltepeque, El Salvador, on September 4, 2020. Authorities from the General Directorate of Penal Centres (DGCP) visited three Salvadorean prisons, some of maximum security, to check the situation of inmates and carry out searches amid the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic. Yuri CORTEZ / AFP
Members of the MS-13 and 18 gangs remain in an overcrowded cell at the Quezaltepeque prison, in Quezaltepeque, El Salvador, on September 4, 2020. Authorities from the General Directorate of Penal Centres (DGCP) visited three Salvadorean prisons, some of maximum security, to check the situation of inmates and carry out searches amid the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic. Yuri CORTEZ / AFP
Members of the "Mara 18" and "MS-13" gangs are seen in custody of guards at a maximum security prison in Izalco, Sonsonate, El Salvador on September 4, 2020, amid the new coronavirus pandemic. The salvadoran government showed Friday the "strict" reclusion conditions of gang members in the country's prisons, amid a controversy generated by a journalistic report that denounced alleged benefits to imprisoned gang members to reduce homicides. Yuri CORTEZ / AFP
Members of the "Mara 18" and "MS-13" gangs are seen in custody of guards at a maximum security prison in Izalco, Sonsonate, El Salvador on September 4, 2020, amid the new coronavirus pandemic. The salvadoran government showed Friday the "strict" reclusion conditions of gang members in the country's prisons, amid a controversy generated by a journalistic report that denounced alleged benefits to imprisoned gang members to reduce homicides. Yuri CORTEZ / AFP
Handcuffs hang from a railing during a search operation at the maximum security prison in Izalco, Sonsonate, El Salvador, on September 4, 2020. Authorities from the General Directorate of Penal Centres (DGCP) visited three Salvadorean prisons, some of maximum security, to check the situation of inmates and carry out searches amid the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic. Yuri CORTEZ / AFP
Handcuffs hang from a railing during a search operation at the maximum security prison in Izalco, Sonsonate, El Salvador, on September 4, 2020. Authorities from the General Directorate of Penal Centres (DGCP) visited three Salvadorean prisons, some of maximum security, to check the situation of inmates and carry out searches amid the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic. Yuri CORTEZ / AFP
Prison guards keep watch at members of the MS-13 and 18 gangs as a search operation is carried out at the maximum security prison in Izalco, Sonsonate, El Salvador, on September 4, 2020. Authorities from the General Directorate of Penal Centres (DGCP) visited three Salvadorean prisons, some of maximum security, to check the situation of inmates and carry out searches amid the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic. Yuri CORTEZ / AFP
Prison guards keep watch at members of the MS-13 and 18 gangs as a search operation is carried out at the maximum security prison in Izalco, Sonsonate, El Salvador, on September 4, 2020. Authorities from the General Directorate of Penal Centres (DGCP) visited three Salvadorean prisons, some of maximum security, to check the situation of inmates and carry out searches amid the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic. Yuri CORTEZ / AFP
A gang member sits on the floor as a search operation is carried out at the maximum security prison in Izalco, Sonsonate, El Salvador, on September 4, 2020. Authorities from the General Directorate of Penal Centres (DGCP) visited three Salvadorean prisons, some of maximum security, to check the situation of inmates and carry out searches amid the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic. Yuri CORTEZ / AFP
A gang member sits on the floor as a search operation is carried out at the maximum security prison in Izalco, Sonsonate, El Salvador, on September 4, 2020. Authorities from the General Directorate of Penal Centres (DGCP) visited three Salvadorean prisons, some of maximum security, to check the situation of inmates and carry out searches amid the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic. Yuri CORTEZ / AFP
Members of the MS-13 and 18 gangs remain in an overcrowded cell at the Quezaltepeque prison, in Quezaltepeque, El Salvador, on September 4, 2020. Authorities from the General Directorate of Penal Centres (DGCP) visited three Salvadorean prisons, some of maximum security, to check the situation of inmates and carry out searches amid the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic. Yuri CORTEZ / AFP
Members of the MS-13 and 18 gangs remain in an overcrowded cell at the Quezaltepeque prison, in Quezaltepeque, El Salvador, on September 4, 2020. Authorities from the General Directorate of Penal Centres (DGCP) visited three Salvadorean prisons, some of maximum security, to check the situation of inmates and carry out searches amid the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic. Yuri CORTEZ / AFP

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