Blockade of southern Chalatenango

Blockade of southern Chalatenango
Blockade of southern Chalatenango
Part of the Salvadoran gang crackdown
Date	24 March 2024 – present
Location	Southern Chalatenango Department Potonico; San Antonio Los Ranchos; San José Cancasque; San Isidro Labrador;
Status	Ongoing
Parties
Salvadoran government Salvadoran Army; National Civil Police;	Criminal gangs 18th Street gang 18 Sureños clique; ;
Lead figures
	Nayib Bukele; René Merino Monroy; Mauricio Arriaza; Uncentralized leadership
Number
5,000 soldiers; 1,000 police officers	Unknown
Casualties
Arrested	50 (as of 2 April 2024)

The blockade of southern Chalatenango began on 24 March 2024 when Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele ordered 5,000 soldiers and 1,000 police officers to blockade and enter the four municipalities in southern Chalatenango. The blockade is the second to be implemented in the Chalatenango Department after the blockade of Nueva Concepción which began in May 2023. The blockade aims to dismantle the 18 Sureños clique of the 18th Street gang.