In an unprecedented judicial move, El Salvador has handed down colossal prison sentences to hundreds of members of the notorious MS-13 street gang, as part of President Nayib Bukele's relentless war on organised crime.
Centuries Behind Bars for Gang Crimes
The country's attorney general's office announced that 248 members of the Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) gang have been given what it termed "exemplary sentences" for a litany of serious offences. These crimes included 43 homicides and 42 enforced disappearances.
In a statement released on social media platform X, the office detailed the staggering length of the terms. One individual received a cumulative sentence of 1,335 years in prison. A further ten convicted gang members were handed prison terms ranging from 463 to 958 years.
The authorities did not specify the exact date of the sentencings or clarify whether the accused were tried collectively or in separate proceedings.
A State of Emergency and Mass Detentions
These sentences are the latest development in a sweeping crackdown that began in March 2022, when President Bukele declared a state of emergency. This measure grants security forces broad powers, including the authority to arrest suspects without a warrant.
Since the initiative started, more than 90,000 people have been detained on suspicion of gang links. Official sources state that approximately 8,000 of these individuals have subsequently been released after being found not guilty.
The government attributes historically low homicide rates in the Central American nation directly to this aggressive campaign. However, the strategy has drawn sharp criticism from international human rights organisations, which accuse Salvadoran security forces of committing widespread abuses and disregarding due process.
The Grip of MS-13 and Barrio 18
According to Salvadoran authorities, the MS-13 and Barrio 18 gangs have been responsible for an estimated 200,000 deaths over three decades. At their peak, the two groups collectively controlled around 80% of the country's territory, making El Salvador one of the most murderous nations in the world.
The attorney general's office outlined their brutal methods, stating the gangs systematically extorted money from business owners, threatening harm if payments were not made. "Some people had to close their businesses out of fear of the threats," the office said.
The United States government designates MS-13 and several other Central and South American gangs as foreign terrorist organisations, highlighting the transnational threat they pose.
The image of security officers standing guard at a heavily fortified Salvadoran prison has become a potent symbol of this ongoing, zero-tolerance policy, which continues to reshape the nation's social and security landscape.
