Police in El Salvador announced the operation Thursday, which included Mexico, Honduras and Guatemala. They say 6,400 police and security agents were involved in the arrests, targeting gangs that are blamed for violent crimes across the region.

Tens of thousands of gang members are believed to be active in the region, where they engage in arms and drug trafficking.

Authorities say those rounded up were mainly members of the Mara Salvatrucha and Mara 18 gangs.

The governments of El Salvador and Honduras have passed laws banning gangs.