The Central American country's National Police said the plan involved veterans of the 1980-1992 civil war, in an apparent reference to former left-wing guerrillas.
On social media, Salvadoran authorities published photos of small cylinders with explosives, fuses and bags of ammonium nitrate.
They also indicated that the explosives were seized in police operations and that the alleged conspiracy would target gas stations, supermarkets and government buildings.
According to police, some of the explosives were found during a raid on a former rebel stronghold, Guazapa, on the outskirts of San Salvador, the country's capital.
The police attribute the bomb plot now discovered to an underground force, which they called the "Salvadorian Insurrection Brigade".
According to the same source, former deputy José Santos Melara, from the leftist FMLN party -- made up of former guerrillas -- was arrested and accused of being "the one who financed the plans" for the alleged conspiracy.
Melara is the leader of the national association of FMLN War Veterans. At least seven other suspects were also detained.
In reaction, the Popular Revolutionary Bloc issued a statement saying that Melara's arrest "is arbitrary and an act of political persecution."
The group demanded his release and said it did not recognize "the unconstitutional and illegitimate President who will take office on June 1st" and said it would "start a new phase of struggle against the imposition of Bukele" as head of state.
In February, Nayib Bukele, who enjoys high levels of popularity, won a second term in the presidential elections, despite the country's Constitution prohibiting re-election.
The politician drew criticism for his attacks against gangs operating in the country and for a combat strategy that involved mass arrests.
Bukele has taken some measures that critics say endanger the Central American country's fragile democracy, which was restored after the brutal civil war.
In addition to persecuting critics and arresting 1% of his country's population in the crackdown on organized crime, the Salvadoran leader also approved reforms last year that reduced the number of seats in Congress, placing the weight of the upcoming elections in favor of his party.
Despite allegations of abuse of power and arbitrary arrests, the repression of gangs made Bukele popular, after many armed groups ruled several areas of the country with brutality, killing and extorting money.
Bukele's party also won a large majority in Congress, which will allow him to govern almost without restrictions.
No comments:
Post a Comment