El Salvador had its first murder-free day for three years on
Saturday marking an important milestone in the country's battle
against gang violence raging on its streets. El Salvador's
President, Mauricio Funes, credited his new security measures
for the country's first murder free day since his election to
office. The Central American country has one of the highest
homicide rates in the world, according to the United Nations.
Over the last three years around 12 people have been killed each
day in El Salvador and there were up to 18 murders a day at the
beginning of 2012. A truce between two warring drug gangs that
was reportedly brokered by the Catholic church has also been
seen as an important step in reducing the number of murders.
Funes denied being part of the peace agreement between El
Salvador's major drug cartels, Mara Salvatrucha and Mara 18 but
admitted to allowing 30 gang leaders out of prison to give order
and direction to the warring factions after the truce. However
while crime is down in El Salv