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El Salvador prosecutors seek life sentences for 564 Barrio 18 gang leaders
The Public Ministry of El Salvador has requested life imprisonment for 564 alleged leaders of the Barrio 18 criminal group. The prosecution is bringing charges for more than 14,400 crimes allegedly committed between 2012 and 2026.
The case is being processed through mass trials in a specialized organized crime court in San Salvador. The charges include rebellion, participation in criminal structures, qualified homicide, qualified extortion, illicit trafficking, and acts of terrorism. Authorities identified the defendants as historical and national pillars of the gang who managed finances and ordered homicides on a national scale.
This legal action follows recent penal reforms approved by the parliament under President Nayib Bukele’s administration. These reforms allow for mass trials and life imprisonment, including for minors, under the current state of exception. Activists have criticized these collective proceedings, arguing they impede access to a fair defense.
Entities
Argentina · Argentine Naval Prefecture · Barrio 18 · Corte Suprema de Justicia de la Nación · Cámara Federal de Casación Penal · César Daniel Renderos Díaz · El Salvador Public Ministry · Horacio Rosatti · Jorge Daniel Barceló · Juan Pablo Quinteros Peredo · Misiones · Nayib Bukele
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The case will be handled through mass trial procedures in San Salvador. www.correiodamanhacanada.com · deultimominuto.com · sapo.pt
- [● 3 SOURCES] Of the 564 defendants, 474 are in custody and 90 are absent. www.correiodamanhacanada.com · deultimominuto.com · sapo.pt
- [● 3 SOURCES] Parliament approved penal reforms allowing life imprisonment for minors. www.correiodamanhacanada.com · deultimominuto.com · sapo.pt
- [● 3 SOURCES] Charges include rebellion, homicide, extortion, and terrorism. www.correiodamanhacanada.com · deultimominuto.com · sapo.pt
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Public Ministry of El Salvador requested life imprisonment for 564 alleged Barrio 18 leaders. www.correiodamanhacanada.com · deultimominuto.com · sapo.pt
- [DISPUTED] The crimes allegedly occurred between 2012 and 2026. www.correiodamanhacanada.com · sapo.pt
- [● 3 SOURCES] The accused are charged with more than 14,400 crimes. www.correiodamanhacanada.com · deultimominuto.com · sapo.pt
- [DISPUTED] The state of exception has been in effect since March 2022. www.correiodamanhacanada.com · sapo.pt