The history of El Salvador dates back to 1821 when it gained independence from Spain. Before that, the region was home to the Nahua people from Mexico, known as the Pipil, who first settled there around 3000 BCE. They dominated most of the area until the early 16th century. At the time of the Spanish arrival, the Pipil were the dominant group in the region. In 1524, Don Pedro de Alvarado arrived at the Port of Acajutla, and by 1525, present-day San Salvador was founded. El Salvador was also part of the broader Maya civilization, which thrived from around 2000 BCE to 1000 AD. The Maya civilization extended across present-day Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, and parts of Nicaragua. However, their dominance ended when the Spanish overthrew them. El Salvador gained independence in 1821, but the country faced prolonged internal conflicts. A civil war broke out in 1979, largely fueled by increasing gang violence and tensions between the Salvadoran government and guerrilla forces. Even after the war ended, gang violence persisted, with groups like MS-13 and the 18th Street gang becoming bitter rivals. Their conflicts led to frequent public shootings and contributed to El Salvador's historically high crime rate, which included murders, robberies, and other violent crimes. Since 2022, El Salvador has taken aggressive measures to combat gang violence. Under a state of emergency, the government launched mass arrests and crackdowns, significantly reducing crime. By 2023, the crime rate had dropped by 70%. This campaign, known as the "State of Exception" or the "War Against the Gangs," has made the country safer for many residents. The U.S. government has also provided resources to help El Salvador in its fight against gangs.