Chapter 108: Blood on His Hands

402      discovered . . . had paid the gangs . . . his mayoral campaign Eleno Castro and Randy Kotti, “Saving Democracy: Reducing Gang Influence on Political Elections in El Salvador,” M.A. Thesis, Harvard Kennedy School of Government, 2022,www.hks.harvard.edu/sites/default/files/degree%20programs/MPAID/files/Castro%2C%20Eleno%20%26%20Randy%20Kotti_SYPA.pdf, 11.

402      held secret negotiations with Barrio 18 and MS-13 “Treasury Targets Corruption Networks Linked to Transnational Organized Crime,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, press release, December 8, 2021, home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy0519; and Castro and Kotti, “Saving Democracy: Reducing Gang Influence on Political Elections in El Salvador,” www.hks.harvard.edu/sites/default/files/degree%20programs/MPAID/files/Castro%2C%20Eleno%20%26%20Randy%20Kotti_SYPA.pdf, 11.

402      In exchange for money . . . agreed to support . . . Castro and Kotti, “Saving Democracy: Reducing Gang Influence on Political Elections in El Salvador,” www.hks.harvard.edu/sites/default/files/degree%20programs/MPAID/files/Castro%2C%20Eleno%20%26%20Randy%20Kotti_SYPA.pdf, 11. See also Carlos Martínez et al., “Bukele Has Been Negotiating with MS-13 for a Reduction in Homicides and Electoral Support,” El Faro, September 6, 2020, elfaro.net/en/202009/el_salvador/24785/Bukele-Has-Been-Negotiating-with-MS-13-for-a-Reduction-in-Homicides-and-Electoral-Support.htm.

402      agreed to limit gang violence . . . and keep homicide rates low “Treasury Targets Corruption Networks Linked to Transnational Organized Crime,” home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy0519; and Castro and Kotti, “Saving Democracy: Reducing Gang Influence on Political Elections in El Salvador,” www.hks.harvard.edu/sites/default/files/degree%20programs/MPAID/files/Castro%2C%20Eleno%20%26%20Randy%20Kotti_SYPA.pdf, 11.

402      with money and privileges in prison . . . access to sex workers “Treasury Targets Corruption Networks Linked to Transnational Organized Crime,” home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy0519; and Castro and Kotti, “Saving Democracy: Reducing Gang Influence on Political Elections in El Salvador,” www.hks.harvard.edu/sites/default/files/degree%20programs/MPAID/files/Castro%2C%20Eleno%20%26%20Randy%20Kotti_SYPA.pdf, 11.

402      blessed by El Salvador’s constitution Martínez, Now I Think It’s Very Clear Who’s in Control of the Situation,’” elfaro.net/es/202002/el_salvador/24006/“Ahora-creo-que-está-muy-claro-quién-tiene-el-control-de-la-situación”.htm. 

402      “Where is the unconstitutionality?” Bukele quoted in Martínez, “‘Now I Think It’s Very Clear Who’s in Control of the Situation,’” elfaro.net/es/202002/el_salvador/24006/“Ahora-creo-que-está-muy-claro-quién-tiene-el-control-de-la-situación”.htm.

402      “Is it unconstitutional for the people to peacefully gather . . .” Bukele quoted in Martínez, “‘Now I Think It’s Very Clear Who’s in Control of the Situation,’” elfaro.net/es/202002/el_salvador/24006/“Ahora-creo-que-está-muy-claro-quién-tiene-el-control-de-la-situación”.htm.

402      “Those who have broken the constitutional order . . .” Bukele quoted in Martínez, “‘Now I Think It’s Very Clear Who’s in Control of the Situation,’” elfaro.net/es/202002/el_salvador/24006/“Ahora-creo-que-está-muy-claro-quién-tiene-el-control-de-la-situación”.htm.

402      “Blood is on their hands. Scoundrels!” Bukele quoted in Martínez, “‘Now I Think It’s Very Clear Who’s in Control of the Situation,’” elfaro.net/es/202002/el_salvador/24006/“Ahora-creo-que-está-muy-claro-quién-tiene-el-control-de-la-situación”.htm. 

403      “another article of the Constitution” . . . gives . . . “to the Salvadoran people” Bukele quoted in Martínez, “‘Now I Think It’s Very Clear Who’s in Control of the Situation,’” elfaro.net/es/202002/el_salvador/24006/“Ahora-creo-que-está-muy-claro-quién-tiene-el-control-de-la-situación”.htm.

403      “officials break the constitutional order . . .” Bukele quoted in Martínez, “‘Now I Think It’s Very Clear Who’s in Control of the Situation’” elfaro.net/es/202002/el_salvador/24006/“Ahora-creo-que-está-muy-claro-quién-tiene-el-control-de-la-situación”.htm.

403      “Insurrection! Insurrection! Insurrection!” Crowd quoted in Martínez, “‘Now I Think It’s Very Clear Who’s in Control of the Situation,’” elfaro.net/es/202002/el_salvador/24006/“Ahora-creo-que-está-muy-claro-quién-tiene-el-control-de-la-situación”.htm.