El Salvador mass trial of MS-13 gang leaders concludes

A three‑month collective trial of 485 alleged MS‑13 members ended on 14 July 2026 in El Salvador. Prosecutors presented closing arguments and asked for the maximum penalties, including life sentences and $9 million in civil damages, for 14 420 crimes such as 444 homicides, extortion, drug and arms trafficking, and human‑trafficking offenses. The defendants appeared virtually from the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT), a mega‑prison built under President Nayib Bukele’s anti‑gang campaign. The court will review a massive dossier of 650 audio recordings and 22 000 pages before issuing a verdict. Human‑rights groups warned that the proceedings violate defendants’ rights under the state of emergency declared in March 2022, which has already led to the detention of over 92 000 people. Prosecutor Max Muñoz said, “No les alcanzarán ni 10 vidas para purgar” the sentences, underscoring the severity of the requested punishments.