EL SALVADOR – How Crime Trends Influence Business Traveling

1. 6 Reasons How Crime Trends Influence Business Traveling At the beginning of the 16th century, Central American territories were conquered by the Spanish. In 1821 Secure Transportation El Salvador obtained independence, but it was immediately incorporated into the First Mexican Empire and ruled until 1841 when it finally became a sovereign nation. From the late 1800s to the mid-1900s, El Salvador suffered political and economic instability and the succession of authoritarian rulers through revolts and coups. The Salvadoran Civil War from 1979 to 1992, fought between the military and left-wing guerrilla groups devastated the country’s economy, thus increasing social inequality. Secure transportation Colombia The outcome was the establishment of a multiparty constitutional republic, which remains in place to this day. El Salvador’s economy has historically been dominated by agriculture since the 16th century and the Spanish colonization. In the early 20th century, its dependence on the exportation of coffee began diversifying its economy by expanding the manufacturing sector, trade, and financial links. The colon, official currency since 1892, was replaced by the United States dollar in 2001. El Salvador showed commitment to comply with CAFTA-DR’s provisions on intellectual property rights (IPR) by changing some of its laws. However, counterfeit, music and video piracy, satellite signal piracy, and unlicensed software are still negatively impacting the economy. Medical Emergencies: El Salvador suffers from obsolete and inadequate medical facilities, lack of resources, qualified personnel, and equipment. Hospitals are often overcrowded and, despite the frequent natural disasters, are not capable of managing mass-casualty incidents. Treatment is provided in a timely fashion only in life-threatening situations. There are few private hospitals. Drugs and medications are generally more expensive than in the US despite new regulatory changes, and some medicines are not available. Travelers should consider carrying necessary medication and, in case of prescriptions, enough supplies to cover their stay and doctor’s documentation in case custom or immigration, inquire about it.

2. Ambulance services are private, and only available in the capital San Salvador. The quality of care is aligned with US standards, but response time is not due to traffic congestions. It is generally quicker to utilize private vehicles or taxis to go to the hospital. Immunization from measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus, pertussis, and chickenpox should be up to date, especially for children. Also, all travelers should have hepatitis A and typhoid immunizations. Hepatitis B vaccine will be administered in El Salvador to those who require medical treatment, have sexual contact, or receive tattoos. Public Transport: It is not recommended to utilize public transportation in El Salvador due to lack of infrastructure, poor conditions, undisciplined drivers, and numerous robberies that occurred to passengers either while on the bus or at bus stations. The majority of taxis are not regulated,

3. and drivers are known for disregarding traffic laws. Hotels and official cab companies are the best sources for a safe taxi ride. Ride-sharing services are present only in the capital, San Salvador, but due to the lack of due diligence performed on the drivers, safety is not guaranteed, and especially foreign travelers have reported thefts, muggings, and assaults suffered while utilizing these services. Crime overview: El Salvador is considered Critical in regards to criminal threats. The poverty level is high, and so is the unemployment rate, while the cost of living and housing remain elevated compared to the average wage. While families are forced to move in conflictive neighborhoods, where housing is more affordable, criminal organizations utilize the same areas to hide their illicit activities, ranging from credit card skimming to assassinations. Violence directed both intended and opportunistic targets. Crimes committed everywhere, frequently and mostly without warning. According the Salvadorian Government, 40,522 incidents were reported in 2019, including theft, robbery, assault, homicide, extortion, theft of a vehicle, carjacking, rape, truck jacking, and kidnapping. 47% of those crimes were against property, 35% against the person, 10% of which were homicides. Most homicides in 2019 were committed in the municipalities of San Salvador, San Miguel, Santa Ana, Apopa, and Mejicanos. is to are any to

4. Violent street gangs such as MS-13 (Mara Salvatrucha) and 18th Street (Barrio 18) are spread throughout the country and focus their illegal activities on street-level drug sales, firearms trafficking, murder for hire, extortion, carjacking, muggings, and assaults. Extortion, in particular, remains one of the most reported crimes. Commonly, local gangs steal a cell phone then call a relative of the victim, especially in a foreign country, claiming that he/she has been arrested and asking for bail money, or they simulate a kidnapping for ransom. Both techniques are used for quick earning with low risks. Cybercrimes such as credit card skimming, identity theft, and ATM machine tempering have been reported. The Salvadorian authorities also advised about the attempt by two foreigners to smuggle skimming equipment into the country. Identity theft is also a concern due to the lack of privacy laws and information sharing via phone, emails, and on unprotected documents and files. Terrorist threats are non-existent in El Salvador, and there is no evidence that the country provides a safe haven to foreign terrorist organizations. Civil unrest is typical in urban areas, and generally, protests are non-violent and mostly against the government for labor disputes. Disruption in public services and delays due to traffic congestions are also the norm during these events. For your safety, avoid large gatherings that attract pickpockets and thieves who take advantage of people distracted by the protest. Drug trafficking is not a concern in El Salvador as the authorities managed to limit illegal transits from neighboring countries. Local gangs deal with narcotics on a street-level basis. Laws and regulations about possessing or selling drugs are stringent and hold lengthy jail sentences if convicted. Members of the LGBTI+ community have been victimized due to negative sentiment, pretty common across El Salvador. The government intervened by creating a Division to investigate and prosecute such cases, but due to often inadequate Police services, it is recommended to maintain a low profile in public places and be aware of your surroundings nearby venues where LGBTI+ members gather. Avoiding isolation, especially after dark and on a public beach, is the very first personal safety recommendation while traveling in El Salvador. Maintaining a low profile, avoiding flashing large sums of cash or expensive electronics and accessories will definitely contribute to minimizing risks. Planning for your personal security and consulting with a security expert will notably decrease the risk of becoming a victim and also facilitate your itinerary throughout your stay in El Salvador.

5. Law Enforcement: El Salvador Laws and Regulations, as well as Police services, suffer from a lack of funding and a high level of corruption. There is a general distrust of the institution, the judicial system is not effective, and the people are not relying on Police response. Officers are not equipped and constantly challenged by situations that they are not trained to manage. Many detention facilities are overcrowded and do not provide the essentials to detainees who have to purchase food, clothing, and beddings. Medical care is poor, and some facilities don’t have beds for all the inmates. We are also read for Best Country Club Membership Marketing Strategies

6. Road Safety: Driving in El Salvador is considered moderate to high risk. Intoxicated drivers, vehicles beyond their life cycle, narrowed roads, and the absence of traffic laws enforcement are contributing factors to the numerous fatalities due to road traffic collisions (RTC’s). Road conditions in urban areas are generally good, as well as emergency services, while rural areas suffer from a lack or total absence of marked roads. Secure Transportation El Salvador Common deficiencies are represented by undisciplined pedestrians and bicyclists, stray animals, and large potholes that make driving particularly dangerous, especially after dark. Private tour companies frequently employ national police officers from the tourist police division to accompany their groups for personal security. Natural disasters: There are 21 active volcanoes in El Salvador located in a very active seismic zone. Thousands of tremors every year, some of which above 5.0 magnitudes are the norm, although they cause little damage. Hurricanes are less frequent but still represent a concern for the inhabitants of the coast. The rainy season (May-October) has caused severe damage to the infrastructure due to flooding, landslides, falling trees, and power lines, and in some extreme cases, roads and bridges had been washed away. Please be aware that El Salvador has limited capabilities and resources for search & rescue and medical emergencies. Email US: riskmanagementmd@gmail.com Call US: 877 455 2935 Follow US: Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube