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Apr 9, 2020 - World

Countries see murders drop during coronavirus lockdowns

Dave Lawler

Watching over San Salvador. Photo: Marvin Recinos/AFP via Getty

Coronavirus lockdowns have led to a decline in murders in some of the world's most violent countries, the Los Angeles Times reports.

By the numbers: El Salvador went 48 hours without a single homicide last month amid a nationwide lockdown. Gangs are warning people to stay off the streets to stop the spread.

  • In Guatemala and Honduras, homicides fell by one-third in March. In Colombia, "where guerrilla leaders ordered a one-month ceasefire timed to a nationwide quarantine," they fell by half.
  • In Mexico, which is not under lockdown, murders increased in March.
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