Minister Alvarez has served two times as Minister of Public Security, and is now in charge of Honduras’ internal security. Alverez’ first term was from 2002 through 2006, during which time he sent to jail roughly 800 members of the 18th Street, and Mara Salvatrucha gangs.

Francisco Lopez, Honduras Police Commissioner, said that the authorities have tightened security, especially on traffic between San Pedro Sula and Tegucigalpa.

“We have to raise alertness and enhance cooperation between intelligence networks to neutralize these groups,” Lopez said.

The two gangs, both operate out of Los Angeles, California, and are known in Honduras for executing 28 civilian passengers of an intercity bus with automatic weapons back in 2004 in the town of Chamelecon.