El Salvador Helicopter Crash Claims 9 Lives

Nine people are dead, including a police director and fugitive banker, after a helicopter crash in El Salvador.

At a Glance

El Salvador military reported a helicopter crash that killed nine, including the national police director, other officials, and a fugitive banker.
The crash occurred in a rural area of San Eduardo, Pasaquina, La Union.
The cause of the crash is under investigation, and international assistance has been requested.
Among the dead was Manuel Coto, a fugitive banker implicated in a $35 million embezzlement scheme.

Tragic Helicopter Crash in El Salvador

El Salvador’s military reported a devastating helicopter crash that killed nine people, including the national police director, Mauricio Arriaza Chicas, and several high-ranking officials. The crash occurred in the rural area of San Eduardo, Pasaquina, La Union. Among the passengers was Manuel Coto, a fugitive banker recently captured in Honduras and handed over to Salvadoran authorities. The crash has prompted an immediate investigation, with President Nayib Bukele emphasizing the need for thorough scrutiny.

The helicopter crash is a significant blow to El Salvador, especially since it claimed the lives of key law enforcement leaders. Director Arriaza Chicas was instrumental in leading the government’s anti-gang efforts. Coto, meanwhile, was reportedly implicated in the embezzlement of over $35 million from the COSAVI savings and loan cooperative. He was arrested while allegedly attempting to travel with a human trafficker to the US, highlighting the complex issues the country faces.

El Salvador's police director and a fugitive banker are among 9 dead in a helicopter crash https://t.co/deg4aCPILS

— The Associated Press (@AP) September 9, 2024

Cause Under Investigation

The cause of the crash is currently under investigation. President Bukele has taken a proactive stance, requesting international assistance to ensure a comprehensive inquiry. He stated, “What happened cannot remain as a simple ‘accident’” and needs to be probed thoroughly “and to the ultimate consequences. We will request international help.”

Authorities are focused on unraveling the mysteries surrounding the crash. In the meantime, the bodies of the victims have been transported to the capital in a police-guarded caravan, underscoring the gravity of the situation.

Impact on Anti-Gang Efforts

Despite the loss of Director Arriaza Chicas, security specialist Luis Contreras is optimistic that the fight against gangs will continue unabated. “In El Salvador there are many experienced people and police commissioners who could replace the late director,” Contreras said. “Crime is not eliminated, but rather neutralized. The neutralization El Salvador’s government has achieved against the gangs has been almost 90%.”

Bukele’s government has taken stringent measures to curb gang violence, leading to a significant reduction in homicide rates. However, these measures are not without controversy. Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have reported numerous abuses, including arbitrary detentions, torture, and deaths in custody. Bukele has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff for three days to honor the late police director.