San Salvador, August 24 (teleSUR-RHC)-- A bodyguard that worked for the right-wing Arena party was arrested on Sunday alongside four gang members in El Salvador.  The bodyguard, identified as Alberto Romero, was detained in the department of San Vicente.

The ruling leftist FMLN party has accused the opposition of collaborating with organized crime groups in the country in order to foment instability.

FMLN General-Secretary Medardo Gonzalez told teleSUR this collaboration between organized crime and the right-wing opposition is part of a concerted effort to wear down the government and impede the implementation of the government's agenda. He added they had proof of “direct links” between leading figures of the Arena party — including elected representatives — and leaders of organized crime groups.

Gonzalez said that the opposition was not behaving democratically but rather using “subversive methods” to oppose the government. The opposition has called for street protests against the government, attempting to pin the blame for the security situation on President Sanchez Ceren.

Gonzalez leader also stated that El Salvador was not alone in this predicament and that he believed that what was happening in his country was part of an “orchestrated plan” by right-wing figures throughout the region to destabilize progressive governments.

The leftist governments in Ecuador and Brazil have been contending with street protests aimed at ousting their respective presidents.

The arrest of the opposition figure comes as the country deals with a spike in violence due to an increase of actions by organized crime groups and the response by state security forces – 2015 is on track to be the country's most violent year with over 26 murders per day.

On Saturday, at least 14 people were killed inside a prison close to San Salvador, in what officials suspect is related to a conflict between gang members.