El Salvador implements mass sentencing under Bukele security regime

El Salvador continues to implement a security model led by President Nayib Bukele, characterized by a state of exception that has been in effect since March 2022. This strategy utilizes heavy police and military presence, mass incarceration, and expanded state powers to combat gang violence. While the government reports a drastic reduction in homicide rates, human rights organizations have raised concerns regarding arbitrary arrests, restrictions on defense rights, and the concentration of power.

Under this regime, the Salvadoran justice system has conducted mass trials. Recently, the Fiscalía General de la República reported that at least 69 alleged gang members were sentenced to prison terms of up to 85 years. These individuals, including members of the Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) gang, faced charges including extortion, drug trafficking, and planning homicides. The government utilizes a single-hearing open model to process entire criminal structures simultaneously through mass legal proceedings.