Crime El Salvador’s Massive Gang Trials: 80,000 Await Justice

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Picture courtesy of DHSgov - via Wikipedia

 

El Salvador has announced plans for nearly 600 mass trials targeting the tens of thousands detained in the country’s sweeping crackdown on gangs. This decision, revealed by the Central American nation's Attorney General, follows President Nayib Bukele's bold strategy initiated in 2022, which involved detaining over 80,000 individuals suspected of gang affiliations without formal charges.

 

Authorities insist those incarcerated are gang members, yet human rights advocates argue many detainees are innocent, with little to no evidence against them. Attorney General Rodolfo Delgado disclosed that about 300 prosecutors would assemble evidence for these cases, highlighting the enormity of the judicial endeavour.

 

Delgado also proposed legal amendments to allow prolonged detention without charges, potentially extending custody by up to three years. The congressional security committee, largely supportive of these changes, provided a favourable view, anticipating imminent congressional approval. This aligns with the impending deadline for filing charges, reported AFP.

 

President Bukele's tough stance on criminal gangs continues to resonate positively domestically, portrayed as a significant contributor to the drop in crime rates. However, his measures have drawn criticism for perceived authoritarian tendencies and human rights violations.

 

Recent deportation initiatives involving his ally, US President Donald Trump, spotlight the controversial nature of his administration, especially regarding reports of mistreatment within maximum-security prisons.

 

Despite these controversies, a recent US State Department report refrained from criticising El Salvador and acknowledged a notable decrease in crime rather than emphasising alleged human rights abuses.

 

Meanwhile, dissenting voices like lawyer and activist Ingrid Escobar express concern over the fate of innocents ensnared in the dragnet, fearing unjust convictions even posthumously for some.

 

As El Salvador braces for the possible judicial proceedings, the implications are profound, potentially reshaping the country's judicial landscape and societal norms. Observers remain divided over the broader impact on human rights and justice for the detained population.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from AFP 2025-08-16

 

[Purdey]

Looks like the suspension of civil rights. What sort of leader puts anyone in prison without a trial for three years?