U.S. Senator Ted Cruz met on 27 August with Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, Justice and Security Minister Gustavo Villatoro and other officials in San Salvador to review the Central American nation’s anti-gang strategy. Cruz said the discussions focused on tactics El Salvador has used to curb gang violence and how elements of the approach could inform U.S. policy against transnational criminal groups. The meeting came hours after Villatoro told local media that security forces have “completely destroyed” the command structure of the country’s gangs, detaining the bulk of their leaders and members. According to official figures, more than 89,000 suspected gang members have been arrested since a state of exception was declared in March 2022, with about 8,000 later released after being cleared. Despite declaring the gang hierarchy dismantled, the government said it will keep the emergency measures in place, arguing the crackdown must continue to prevent a resurgence. Rights groups have criticised the state of exception for allowing warrant-less arrests and prolonged detentions, but Bukele maintains the policy has driven homicide rates to historic lows and underpinned his successful 2024 re-election bid.