Warden Message: El Salvador Gang-Related Email Hoaxes

Consular Affairs Bulletins Report

U.S. Embassy San Salvador issued the following Warden Message on October 23:

This Warden message is to inform U.S. citizens in El Salvador about recent email hoaxes concerning gang and anti-gang activity in El Salvador.

On Monday, October 19, an email threatening increased gang activity circulated through El Salvador.  Though this email was a hoax, it caused a significant disruption of normal activities. 

The Embassy has learned that a new email is circulating, supposedly from, a “death squad” from the time of the civil war.  The email contains a message that the group is being revived in order to “exterminate” the gangs.   The Embassy has checked with law enforcement sources and this message is also believed to be a hoax.  We ask that you not forward this email if you receive it.

As always, we remind you to be wary of large gatherings and to take normal precautions to ensure your personal security.  Please refer to the Embassy’s website for Personal Security Suggestions .

The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in San Salvador is located at Final Boulevard Santa Elena Sur, Urbanizacion Santa Elena, Antiguo Cuscatlan, La Libertad, telephone 011-503-2501-2999, fax 011-503-2278-5522, e-mail:  congensansal@state.gov

The Embassy's web site can be accessed at  U.S. Embassy San Salvador .  The Consular Section is open for U.S. citizens' services from 8:15 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. weekdays, excluding U.S. and Salvadoran holidays.  After business hours, the Embassy can be contacted by telephone at 011-503-2501-2316 or 011-503-2501-2253.