El Salvador’s National Police Director-General, Mauricio Arriaza, was among nine people killed when a military helicopter crashed on Sunday evening. The helicopter was transporting a high-profile suspect, former bank director Manuel Coto, who was accused of embezzling $35 million from a credit union in El Salvador. The crash occurred shortly after take-off, as the helicopter was en route to the capital, San Salvador.
El Salvador police chief dies in ‘suspicious’ helicopter crash
El Salvador’s police chief, Mauricio Arriaza, and eight others died in a helicopter crash while escorting a suspect in a multi-million-dollar fraud case.
President Nayib Bukele expressed doubts that the crash was… pic.twitter.com/m7FJ63hVzP
— World News Express (@WorldNewsExprex) September 9, 2024
President Nayib Bukele, expressing doubts that the crash was accidental, has called for an investigation. In a statement, he honored Arriaza’s contribution to the nation’s security, calling him a pivotal figure in the government’s crackdown on gang violence. Under Arriaza’s leadership, El Salvador experienced a significant drop in its homicide rate, although the tough policies have faced criticism from human rights organizations for alleged arbitrary detentions.
The crash took place near Pasaquina, close to the Honduran border, where Arriaza had traveled to take Coto into custody. Local media reported that the helicopter was also carrying a TV news crew, and all aboard were confirmed dead.
Manuel Coto had recently been captured by Honduran police while allegedly attempting to flee to the United States with the help of a smuggler. Coto, one of 32 individuals accused in a multi-million-dollar embezzlement and money-laundering scheme, had previously been reported as detained in Panama in July, raising questions about how he came to be in Honduras.
El Salvador police chief dies in helicopter crash https://t.co/8z1CZ0jo9t #Sahel #Mali
— EyeOnMali (@EyeonMali) September 9, 2024
El Salvador’s attorney general has accused Coto and his associates of siphoning funds from the COSAVI credit union to purchase luxury items such as flats and cars. So far, 15 people, including Coto’s parents, have been arrested in connection with the case.
Key Points:
i. El Salvador’s Police Director-General, Mauricio Arriaza, and eight others died in a military helicopter crash.
ii. Arriaza was escorting Manuel Coto, a fugitive accused of embezzling $35 million, to San Salvador.
iii. President Nayib Bukele ordered an investigation into the crash, expressing doubt that it was an accident.
iv. The crash occurred near the Honduran border, where Coto had been captured attempting to flee to the U.S.
v. Coto is part of a 32-person embezzlement case, with 15 people already detained.
James Kravitz – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
