Killings fell by 40 percent last year in El Salvador

El Salvador's controversial gang truce has led to dramatic fall in homicides in one of the world's most dangerous nations, a trend that may well continue if the war between the gangs can be brought to a permanent close.

According to Efe news agency, the National Civil Police registered 2,576 murders in 2012. Compared to the 2011 fgure of 4,371 homicides, that represents a 41 percent fall.

National Police Sub-Director, Mauricio Ramirez, pointed to the gang truce between Mara Salvatrucha and Barrio 18 as being one of the key factors in bringing down the number of murders.

Source: InSightCrime