The Minister of the Interior, Marco Antonio Villeda, received the U.S. agents accompanied by the Deputy Ministers of Security, Roberto Solorzano, and of Anti-Narcotics, Victor Hugo Cruz.

The arrival of the specialized gang and fugitive unit, known as Vulcano, comes after a request from the new Minister of the Interior, who acknowledged the need for international cooperation.

The escape of the 20 high-risk inmates from the Barrio 18 gang at Fraijanes II prison in the capital city bust a crisis in this Central American country and led to the resignation of the top officials at the Ministry of the Interior.

Because of this situation, authorities confirmed on the 25th the arrest of 23 prison guards, and of those who escaped, only four have been found to date, prompting them to alert the International Criminal Police Organization.

The Public Prosecutor’s Office requested an arrest warrant for the fifth former Deputy Minister of Anti-Narcotics, Claudia Palencia, for the crimes of usurpation of functions and aiding and abetting the escape. jdt/jav/oda /znc