Gang Chief’s Bukele Pacts
- SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador – Amidst the ongoing detention of thousands in El Salvador's prisons, Carlos Cartagena López, also known as "Charli de Ivu," a prominent gang leader,...
- in a 41-minute interview, López, identified as a leader within the 18th Street gang, discussed the alleged initial approaches between his gang and Bukele's associates.
- Óscar Martínez,an editor,told El País that the interview "describes how gangs made Bukele a relevant politician," adding,"It allows us to reach sharp conclusions as it is impossible to...
El Salvador Gang Leader’s Release Raises Questions About Bukele‘s Government
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SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador – Amidst the ongoing detention of thousands in El Salvador’s prisons, Carlos Cartagena López, also known as “Charli de Ivu,” a prominent gang leader, was reportedly secretly released by President Nayib Bukele’s administration. López recently gave an interview detailing alleged agreements with Bukele’s circle.
Gang Leader details Alleged Pacts
in a 41-minute interview, López, identified as a leader within the 18th Street gang, discussed the alleged initial approaches between his gang and Bukele’s associates. He described favors exchanged and how the gangs purportedly aided Bukele’s rise to power. During the interview, López was seen wearing casual clothing, including a black Nike shirt.
Óscar Martínez,an editor,told El País that the interview “describes how gangs made Bukele a relevant politician,” adding,”It allows us to reach sharp conclusions as it is impossible to understand bukele’s rise to total power without his society with gangs.”
bukele’s “War on Maras” Followed Massacre
President Bukele initiated his “War on Maras” on March 27, 2022, following a massacre that claimed the lives of 87 people.investigations suggest the massacre occurred after a secret pact between the government and Mara Salvatrucha 13, as well as factions of the 18th Street gang.
Conflicting Reports Surface
Another Salvadoran media outlet, the magazine *Elements*, reported that López was apprehended at a police checkpoint on April 21, 2022, shortly after the state of emergency began. Though, he was allegedly released and escorted home under ”superior order.” The interview with López was published a day later. As of today, May 2, 2025, Bukele has not publicly addressed these reports.
Gang Leader’s Criminal History
López gained notoriety after appearing in the BBC miniseries *Eighteen with a Bullet*. The series depicted López, at age 16, as a leader within the 18th Street gang. He admitted to committing murders and other crimes. He remains a fugitive.
According to *Elements*, López faced accusations of homicide and 46 counts of extortion at the time of his arrest, including cases involving a mayor’s office and two companies. During the state of emergency, authorities arrested thousands based on anonymous tips, tattoos, familial connections to gang members, or perceived nervousness during police checks. Many remain imprisoned, and some have died without convictions.
Other Alleged Releases
elmer Canales Rivera, also known as “Crook,” a high-ranking MS-13 leader, was also allegedly illegally released during Bukele’s administration. The united States sought Rivera’s extradition in late 2020 while he was supposedly serving a 40-year sentence. Rivera was captured in Mexico in November 2023 after reports surfaced that he had been released and transported to Guatemala with the assistance of a public official.
Reports indicate the Salvadoran government has attempted to recover gang leaders who possess knowledge of alleged pacts. There were reports that the government offered the Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG) cartel $1 million to recover Rivera. CNN reported this week that a representative of the president offered the Trump administration a 50% discount on the rental of a prison to deport migrants if the U.S. returned nine gang leaders in its custody.
Bukele has publicly maintained a hard-line stance against gangs, presenting himself as a global example in combating crime.The Republican administration has supported his efforts, despite awareness of the alleged pacts. In December 2021, the State Department sanctioned two Salvadoran officials for allegedly negotiating with gangs to reduce homicides in exchange for prison benefits.
Details of Initial Contact
In addition to López, another gang leader from the 18th street gang, who wished to remain anonymous, was interviewed. Both leaders provided details regarding alleged agreements with Bukele’s government.
The gang leaders claim contact with Bukele’s circle began in 2014, when Bukele ran for mayor of San Salvador. At the time, Bukele was a councilor from Nuevo Cuscatlán.
López said, “Remember that who dominates San Salvador, dominates everything. The important thing for then was the mayor’s Office of San Salvador because that was going to boost how far it has come now.”
According to the gang members, Carlos Marroquín, known as “Slip,” served as the primary intermediary between Bukele and the gangs. Marroquín has accompanied bukele throughout his political career and is one of the two officials sanctioned by the State Department. The other is Osiris Luna, the director of criminal centers.
The gang members stated that Marroquín alerted them to police operations and carried out community projects. One gang member said, “he said I come in the name of Fulano and this is going to be done.And it was done.”
The gang leaders allege Bukele requested their support, which involved threatening opposition members and pressuring residents to vote for him.
After winning the mayoral election, Bukele initiated projects in the Historic Center of San Salvador. He then successfully ran for president. The alleged pact continued until the March 2022 massacre.
Evidence of negotiations between Salvadoran gangs and Bukele’s government includes prison intelligence documents, tax investigations, photos, audio recordings, and accusations from the U.S. State Department. The recent interviews with gang leaders provide further details.
Martínez said that investigations into the alleged pacts are ongoing. “There are things we still don’t know. Why did the March 2022 kill unleashed? Did they free more people? Why did they free Crook? The pact of gangs with Bukele is not a thing of the past, it is a thing of the present of how a man came to total power,” he said.
Hear’s a Q&A-style blog post based on the provided article,designed to rank well in search,provide excellent details,and build reader trust:
El Salvador Gang Leader’s Release: Unpacking the Controversies Surrounding Bukele’s Government
This article dives deep into the allegations surrounding President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador and his governance’s alleged dealings with gang leaders. We’ll examine the recent release of Carlos Cartagena López (“Charli de Ivu”) and explore the serious questions it raises about the government’s “War on gangs.”
What’s the Headline News? Why is Carlos Cartagena López’s Release Significant?
Q: Who is Carlos cartagena López (“Charli de Ivu”),and why is his release making headlines?
A: Carlos Cartagena López,also known as “Charli de Ivu,” is a prominent leader of the 18th Street gang in El salvador. His recent secret release by President Nayib Bukele’s administration has sparked controversy for several reasons:
Contradicts Public Stance: Bukele’s government has presented a hard-line stance against gangs, including implementing a “War on Maras” and cracking down on gang activity. López’s release directly contradicts this image.
Raises Questions About Corruption: The release suggests potential covert deals between the government and gang leaders, which could involve corruption.
Offers Potential for Insight: López recently gave an interview detailing alleged agreements with Bukele’s circle, therefore, this is a source of information for the public, if they can trust it.
Q: What details were revealed in the interview with Carlos Cartagena López?
A: In a recent 41-minute interview, López detailed alleged agreements between his gang and associates linked to Bukele. He described exchanges of favors and how gangs purportedly aided Bukele’s political rise, including:
Assisting with Bukele’s Rise to Power: López claims the gang played a role in supporting Bukele’s political ambitions.
exchanging Favors: The interview suggests a quid-pro-quo relationship, with benefits being exchanged.
Impact on Bukele’s Total power: the interview details how it might very well be impossible to understand Bukele’s rise to power without the society with gangs.
Diving deeper: The “War on Maras” and Alleged Gang Pacts
Q: How does this release relate to President Bukele’s “War on Maras”?
A: President Bukele launched his “War on Maras” on March 27,2022,following a violent massacre that took 87 lives which were allegedly part of a secret pact between the government,Mara Salvatrucha 13,and the 18th Street gang. López’s release, which allegedly occurred around the same time, brings Bukele’s actions into question.
Q: Did Bukele’s administration have any alleged dealings with the MS-13 leader, elmer Canales Rivera (“Crook”)?
A: Yes, the article states that the US sought Rivera’s extradition in late 2020 while he was supposedly serving a 40-year sentence, he was also allegedly illegally released in Bukele’s administration, and was later caught in Mexico.
Q: What is the nature of these alleged pacts between the government and gangs?
A: The allegations suggest a complex arrangement for these pacts include:
Political Support: Requesting support involving intimidation of opposition members and pressuring residents to vote.
Favors and Benefits: This led to requests from gang members to the Bukele government for community projects and support.
Reduced Homicides: The State Department sanctioned two Salvadoran officials for allegedly negotiating with gangs to reduce homicides, resulting in prison benefits.
Unpacking key Individuals and Events
Q: Who is Carlos Marroquín (“Slip”) and why is he mentioned?
A: Carlos Marroquín, known as “Slip,” is a key figure mentioned in the article. he is alleged to be a primary intermediary between Bukele and the gangs, assisting in police operations and community projects. marroquín has accompanied Bukele throughout his political career and is one of the two officials sanctioned by the U.S. State Department for allegedly negotiating with gangs.
Q: What role did the 2022 massacre play in the context of these alleged pacts?
A: The article mentions that it happened after the pact, suggesting at least an implicit agreement. Investigations into the massacre’s triggers and implications are ongoing. The connections to alleged secret pacts raise significant questions.
Q: What’s the official response from Bukele’s government about these allegations?
A: As of May 2, 2025, when the initial article was written, Bukele had not publicly addressed these reports.
Digging Deeper: Sources & Evidence
Q: What evidence supports the claims of a pact between the government and gangs?
A: the article presents several pieces of evidence to support the potential:
Prison Intelligence Documents: Information gathered within the prison.
Tax Investigations: Financial records that potentially point to transactions and deals.
Photos and Audio Recordings: Possible visual or auditory evidence.
U.S. State Department Accusations: The U.S. State Department’s statements, as well as sanctions, point towards their suspicions.
Gang Leader Interviews: Primary accounts from the gang leaders in the interviews.
Q: What is the source of the information presented in this article?
A: This article is based on the information originally presented, as well as news reporting, an interview, and other media sources.
Looking Ahead: The Future of El Salvador
Q: What are some of the potential ramifications of these revelations?
A:
International Scrutiny: Further international scrutiny of Bukele’s government and its human rights record.
Erosion of trust: Damage to the public trust in the government.
ongoing Investigations: Continued investigation into the alleged pacts and the massacre.
Political Instability: could cause political turmoil within the country.
Q: What questions remain unanswered in this complex situation?
A:
Why did the March 2022 massacre occur?
Did the government free more people with the same pact?
Why did the government free Crook?
What is the long-term impact on El Salvador’s political landscape?
Disclaimer: this article is based on the provided information and seeks to present a thorough overview. As investigations are ongoing, the situation is subject to change. The views expressed don’t necessarily reflect the opinions of the author or any affiliated organization.