Soldiers entered El Salvador's parliament Sunday as the president demanded lawmakers approve a $109 million loan to equip the military and police to fight against violent gangs.

Nayib Bukele called an extraordinary weekend session of parliament to ask it approve a loan that has pitted the executive against lawmakers in a country with one of the world's highest murder rates.

Before his entry, armed police and soldiers with rifles and wearing body armor entered the chamber and stood guard — a move not seen since the end of the country's civil war in 1992.

"If these good-for-nothings (lawmakers) do not approve the Territorial Control Plan this week we will call them to hold a session again next Sunday," Bukele said in a speech to supporters outside the parliament.

Bukele, who took office last June, has pledged to tackle gang violence and intends using the loan to better equip the military and police, but lawmakers refused to sit for an extra session over the weekend to debate the issue.

Bukele also called on supporters to gather outside parliament and help pressure the politicians.

"When officials break the constitutional order, the Salvadoran people have the right to insurrection to remove those officials," Bukele said.

The presence of troops prompted international cries of concern.

Amnesty International said in a statement posted on Twitter that the military presence "could mark the beginning of a dangerous route for institutions and for human rights in the country."

The European Union, meanwhile, expressed "great concern" over the "confrontation" between Salvadoran institutions.

El Salvador is one of the world's most dangerous nations — excluding those enduring an armed conflict — with an average of 35.6 homicides per 100,000 people last year.

Colombia puts military on alert after guerrilla threat
Bogota (AFP) Feb 10, 2020 –

Colombia has put its armed forces on maximum alert following the announcement of a nationwide three-day "armed strike" by left-wing guerrillas, the government said on Monday.

ELN commander Uriel announced on social media the "72-hour armed strike in the national territory" from Friday.

The ELN is the last recognized guerrilla movement still fighting authorities in Colombia and can count on around 2,300 fighters.

"All the country's units are on maximum alert to deal with any requirement to protect the population," said Defense Minister Carlos Holmes Trujillo.

He said the armed forces would "respond with the adequate and legitimate firmness, and with all the rigor, in the face of these terrorists' threats."

The ELN has announced armed strikes before but never on a nationwide level.

The group warned citizens against using roads during the strike, adding that "staying in their homes will avoid unfortunate consequences."

The ELN is the last remaining armed guerrilla group operating in Colombia since the FARC laid down weapons in 2016 and formed a political party after signing a peace deal with the government of then-president Juan Manuel Santos.

Yet Colombia remains wracked by a multi-faceted armed conflict involving left-wing guerrillas, right-wing paramilitaries, drug-traffickers and security forces.

Over the last 50 years, eight million people have either been killed, disappeared or displaced due to the ongoing conflict.