El Salvador congress extends state of emergency for 30 more days

The measure, which has been in place for more than a year and a half, has been questioned by human rights organizations.

The exception regime allows for arrests without warrants, detentions without the right to a lawyer, and government access to private communications.

It has been credited with helping to reduce the number of homicides in El Salvador, but it has also been criticized for leading to the arbitrary detention of thousands of people.

The decision to extend the state of emergency comes as El Salvador is facing a new wave of violence. In the first two weeks of September, there have been more than 200 homicides, the highest number for that period in two years.

The extension of the state of emergency is likely to further strain relations between El Salvador and the international community. The United Nations has called on El Salvador to lift the measure, and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights has said that it is "deeply concerned" about the human rights situation in the country.

Despite the criticism, President Bukele has defended the exception regime, saying that it is necessary to protect the citizens of El Salvador from gang violence. He has also said that the measure will be lifted once the violence is under control.

It remains to be seen how long the state of emergency will remain in place. However, the decision to extend it for another 30 days suggests that President Bukele is not yet ready to give up on this controversial measure. (ILKHA)