Salvadoran gang truce mediator released from jail

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SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador – A former Salvadoran guerrilla involved in brokering a cease-fire with the country’s powerful street gangs has been released from jail after a court said he could remain free while awaiting trial.

Raul Mijango was arrested in early May along with three police officials and 17 other current and former prison officials due to their involvement with the 2012 treaty, which was aimed at lowering the murder rate. The former director of the prison system remains a fugitive. They face charges including illicit association.

The new government of President Salvador Sanchez Ceren has taken a much harder line toward confronting the gangs. The current administration characterized the treaty as a political deal that allowed the gangs to get stronger.

Upon his release Monday, Mijango said he could not speak about his case.

“But my only sin is to have worked for peace in this country, to reduce homicides and to try to return to Salvadorans the security and tranquility that we all want,” Mijango said.

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