Military parade marks El Salvador's independence

President Nayib Bukele's government celebrated the 201st anniversary of El Salvador's independence with a military and civic parade Thursday. Air Force planes and helicopters performed exercises in the skies over the Salvadoran capital while elite troops of the Armed Forces and police paraded in combat gear through the capital. At President Bukele's request, Congress approved Wednesday the sixth extension of the state of exception to continue the government's campaign against gangs. Authorities have captured 52,549 people to date under the state of exception, most of them accused of being part of criminal structures or collaborating with gangs.