El Salvador: Pro-government protest due in San Salvador February 16 /update 1

Event

Supporters of President Nayib Bukele and his Neuvas Ideas political party have called for a protest in San Salvador on Sunday, February 16, in support of a proposed loan plan. Participants plan to gather outside the Legislative Assembly at 11:00 (local time). 

A heightened security presence and localized transportation disruptions are expected near the protest site. Similar demonstrations and counter-demonstrations are possible in the coming days and weeks. 

Context

Heavily armed members of the police force and army forcibly entered Parliament in San Salvador on February 9, ahead of scheduled address by President Bukele. President Bukele was due to speak with members of parliament on February 9, about a proposed loan plan that would supply the police and armed forces with equipment and other resources to fight crime, in a country where some of the highest murder rates in the world are reported. The president called on heavily armed members of the police force and army to forcibly enter Parliament after some members of parliament refused to discuss the plan. An estimated 50,000 pro-government supporters also gathered outside Parliament to show support for the plan. 

Advice

Individuals in San Salvador are advised to monitor the situation, avoid all protests as a precaution, anticipate a heightened security presence and localized transportation disruptions, and obey instructions issued by local authorities.