El Salvador postpones sentencing for 485 MS-13 gang leaders

The sentencing for 485 alleged high-ranking members of the Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) gang in El Salvador has been postponed. The presidency announced the delay without specifying the reasons, stating that a new date for the verdict will be announced at a later time.

This unprecedented mass trial targets the core hierarchy of the criminal organization. The defendants are participating in the proceedings remotely via video link from various prisons. The prosecution has brought over 47,420 charges against the group, including approximately 29,000 counts of homicide, as well as femicide, forced disappearances, weapons trafficking, and drug trafficking.

Prosecutors have previously indicated that the combined sentences for the gang leaders could amount to ‘thousands of years’ of imprisonment. While President Nayib Bukele’s administration has gained popularity through its strict anti-gang policies, international human rights organizations have raised concerns regarding potential abuses of human rights during these enforcement measures.