both MS-13 and Barrio 18 in an effort to rally the gangs' support for the election. He stated that the gangs constitute "an elector that can define the result [of the election]", and referenced the 60,000 gang members that can be mobilized to vote and sway the election. He described Quijano as a hypocrite for allegedly meeting with the gangs while publicly voicing his opposition to the truce. According to Roberto José d'Aubuisson Munguía, a deputy of the Legislative Assembly from ARENA, recordings and documents leaked in January 2014 allegedly revealed that the government authorized payments to the mediators and the families of gang leaders, as well as gave benefits to incarcerated gang leaders such as nights out of prison, prostitutes, and luxury goods. In 2016, MS-13 released YouTube videos and audio recordings which allegedly showed politicians of both ARENA and the FMLN negotiating with gangs, offering them identity cards and financial support in exchange for the gangs supporting their political campaigns prior to the 2014 presidential election. On 4 June 2021, Muyshondt was arrested for allegedly engaging in electoral fraud and negotiating with the gangs to vote for ARENA in 2014. On 11 November 2022, Quijano himself was ordered to stand trial for allegedly offering the gangs favors in exchange for them voting for him in the 2014 election. Public opinion According to a poll conducted by the Technological University of El Salvador in August 2013, 47 percent of respondents believed the truce benefited the gangs, 16 percent believed it benefited the public, and 13 percent believed it benefited the government. The poll also found that 68.1 percent of respondents believed the truce had "political ends" and 50 percent believed that the truce had not produced any results. Results Homicide rate In the first 21 days of March 2012, a total of 186 homicides were recorded (or 5 homicides per day), a decrease from 402 in February 2012 and 411 in January 2012 (or 14 homicides per day). Although the number of homicides significantly decreased in March 2012, the gangs were still responsible for about half of the homicides committed; according to La Prensa Gráfica, from 10 March to 11 April, a total of 209 homicides were recorded. By May 2012, homicides had reportedly decreased by 58 percent from the beginning the truce. On 3 January 2013, the government announced that it had registered 2,576 homicides throughout 2012, a