El Salvador court sentences 69 gang members to up to 85 years in prison

El Salvador's justice system has handed down sentences of up to 85 years in prison to at least 69 alleged gang members arrested under the state of exception in effect since March 2022. The Attorney General's Office (FGR) reported the convictions, which target individuals involved in serious criminal activities.

In one case, 24 members of the MS-13 gang were sentenced to up to 85 years for crimes committed in various sectors of La Libertad and San Salvador. These individuals were involved in extortion of merchants through death threats, drug trafficking, and planning homicides in areas such as Santa Tecla and San Juan Opico. Another group of 45 gang members faced charges for illicit association and other offenses in the eastern part of the country, engaging in drug and arms trafficking, and recruiting young people.

These mass trials are conducted under a single open hearing model, implemented in December following reforms to the Law Against Organized Crime. This approach allows prosecutors to process entire criminal structures within a single case, expediting convictions and enabling the inclusion of future charges against the same criminal cells. The FGR selects defendants for hearings based on their alleged involvement and hierarchy within the organization, with judges determining individual participation.

The state of exception, a key initiative by President Nayib Bukele to combat gangs, has led to over 92,000 arrests. However, the measure has also drawn criticism for alleged human rights violations, with reports from humanitarian organizations citing over 6,400 complaints and more than 500 deaths in state custody. Despite these concerns, Bukele maintains high approval ratings and secured immediate re-election for a second term.