I. Introduction: A Nation Under Siege
El Salvador has become synonymous with gang violence, as escalating brutality from groups such as MS-13 and Barrio 18 dominates daily life. Entire communities are trapped in cycles of fear, forced recruitment, and extortion, with families making the agonising decision to abandon their homes. The government’s harsh security policies have done little to address the root causes of violence, leaving Salvadorans with one choice: flee the country in search of safety.

II. The Rise of Gangs in El Salvador
The roots of El Salvador’s gang crisis lie in its civil war and subsequent migration waves to the United States. Deportations of Salvadoran youth in the 1990s brought U.S.-based gangs back to the country, where they flourished in a context of poverty, unemployment, and weak institutions. Over time, gangs such as MS-13 and Barrio 18 grew into powerful criminal organisations that control vast territories and exert enormous influence over society.

III. Extortion as a Way of Life
Extortion, or ‘la renta,’ is one of the most widespread forms of gang violence. Small businesses, bus drivers, and even schoolchildren are forced to pay protection money. Failure to comply often results in violent retaliation, including murder. This daily burden has devastated the Salvadoran economy and driven many to seek refuge abroad.

IV. Forced Recruitment of Youth
Young people are prime targets for gang recruitment. Boys are coerced into becoming lookouts, couriers, or soldiers, while girls are subjected to sexual violence and forced relationships with gang members. Families, fearing for their children’s futures, often choose migration as the only way to escape gang control.

V. Violence Against Women
El Salvador has one of the highest femicide rates in the world, with women facing particular vulnerability to gang violence. Sexual assault, harassment, and killings are used to intimidate and control communities. Mothers and daughters alike are caught in the crossfire, further fuelling migration.

VI. Territorial Control by Gangs
Entire neighbourhoods and towns are under the control of gangs, who dictate who may enter, leave, or even interact across rival territories. This territorial domination fractures families and isolates communities, making mobility and economic activity nearly impossible. The lack of freedom of movement further compels Salvadorans to flee.

VII. Government Crackdowns and State Violence
In response to escalating gang violence, the Salvadoran government has implemented harsh crackdowns, including mass arrests and militarisation of public spaces. While these policies temporarily reduce gang activity in some areas, they often result in human rights abuses and arbitrary detentions. For many Salvadorans, the threat now comes not only from gangs but also from state security forces.

VIII. Collusion Between Gangs and Officials
Reports of collusion between government officials and gangs further undermine public trust. Secret pacts, in which authorities allegedly negotiated with gangs to reduce homicides in exchange for concessions, have deepened the sense of betrayal among citizens. This perceived complicity strengthens the rationale for migration.

IX. Internal Displacement Before Exile
Before seeking refuge abroad, many Salvadorans attempt internal displacement. Families move from one neighbourhood or city to another, trying to escape gang threats. However, gang networks are national in scope, and relocation often fails, leaving international migration as the only viable solution.

X. Dangerous Migration Journeys
Fleeing El Salvador involves perilous journeys north through Guatemala and Mexico. Migrants risk assaults, kidnappings, and extortion from both criminal groups and corrupt officials. Despite the dangers, thousands make this journey each year, driven by desperation and the hope of safety abroad.

XI. Diaspora Communities
El Salvador’s diaspora, particularly in the United States, plays a vital role in supporting migrants. Remittances provide economic lifelines to families back home, while diaspora organisations advocate for asylum protections and raise awareness of ongoing violence. These networks are critical for those forced to flee.

XII. Conclusion: Choosing Exile Over Death
The escalation of gang violence in El Salvador has left families with impossible choices: submit to gang control, face death, or flee. With the state unable or unwilling to provide adequate protection, migration becomes the only path to survival. Until structural reforms address poverty, impunity, and inequality, Salvadorans will continue to risk everything in search of safety abroad.