El Salvador police chief, key gangs crackdown, dies in helicopter crash: 'it can't be investigated as a mere accident'

Mauricio Arriaza Chicas, the chief of El Salvador's national police and instrumental in President Nayib Bukele's crackdown on gangs, died in a helicopter crash, authorities confirmed on Monday.

The crash took place in the eastern part of the country near the Honduran border. All passengers aboard the helicopter, including Arriaza Chicas, perished in the incident. The Salvadoran Air Force, which operated the helicopter, reported that Manuel Coto, the former head of a credit union facing money laundering charges, was also on board. Coto had been arrested in Honduras over the weekend and was being transported back to El Salvador.

Arriaza Chicas had been a central figure in President Nayib Bukele's administration, serving as police chief throughout Bukele's aggressive campaign to curb gang violence. Bukele, who secured re-election earlier this year, has been known for implementing a widespread crackdown on gangs, resulting in the imprisonment of tens of thousands of people.

Following the crash, Bukele took to social media, saying the crash cannot be investigated as a "simple accident." He added that his government would request international assistance in investigating the cause of the crash. In his message, Bukele praised Arriaza Chicas as instrumental in the efforts to restore peace and security in the country.

El Salvador has experienced a significant reduction in violent crime since Bukele took office in 2019. Before his presidency, the country had one of the highest homicide rates in the world. Bukele's approach, however, has been controversial. While credited with improving security, the crackdown has been accompanied by significant restrictions on civil liberties. The government has detained many individuals without trial, and the suspension of certain rights has drawn criticism from international human rights organizations. A 2022 report from Human Rights Watch accused Bukele's government of engaging in widespread human rights violations during the state of emergency imposed to combat gang violence.