The decree, published Monday, will last a month, but lawmakers will be able to extend it, something that has happened repeatedly in El Salvador since a state of emergency was imposed in March.

The Honduran measures affect the constitutional rights of association, free movement, searches and arrests. The decree issued by the government of President Xiomara Castro justified the threat to life and property by the gangs in both cities.

Retired National Police Commissioner Leandro Osorio said the measures are aimed not only at crime prevention, but also at repressive actions.

“The intent is to penetrate these criminal structures to get to the[leaders],” Osorio said, pointing out that it would also be important to go after lesser criminals, as well as repeat offenders.

Still, Osorio said it would be difficult and would require cooperation across the criminal justice system and government.

Security analyst Raúl Pineda Alvarado said Honduras’ state of emergency so far pales in comparison to overall efforts in El Salvador, where President Nayib Bukele has drawn international criticism for repressive tactics.

While noting that El Salvador’s example was indeed “authoritarian,” Pineda said it showed real results in terms of the rapid drop in homicides.

“What is being practiced in Honduras is an imitation,” Pineda said.