Background and Context
In El Salvador, President Nayib Bukele has been waging a “war” against gangs, particularly the Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13). This struggle has led to the sentencing of numerous MS-13 members to lengthy prison terms, with one individual receiving over a thousand years in prison, as reported by the Prosecutor’s Office.
Bukele’s Approach and Arrests
Since March 2022, Bukele has been combating gangs under an exception regime that permits arrests without a judicial warrant. Over 90,000 individuals have been detained, with approximately 8,000 released due to their innocence, according to official sources.
Recent Sentences Announced by the Prosecutor’s Office
The Salvadoran Prosecutor’s Office announced that 248 MS-13 members received “exemplary sentences” for 43 homicides, 42 disappearances, and other crimes. The report does not specify the date of the sentencing or if these are part of collective trials.
- Sentence Details:
- One member received 1,335 years in prison.
- Ten others were sentenced to 958, 880, 739, 745, 739, 702, 639, 543, 530, and 463 years respectively.
Crimes Committed by Sentenced MS-13 Members
The judicial body explained that among the crimes committed by these MS-13 members between 2014 and 2022 are the murders of a university student and a female soccer player, multiple extortion cases against shop owners, home invasions, and drug trafficking.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is President Nayib Bukele?
- What is the Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13)?
- What is the exception regime?
- What crimes were the sentenced MS-13 members convicted of?
Nayib Bukele is the current President of El Salvador, elected in 2019. He has taken a firm stance against gang violence, implementing strict measures to combat crime.
The MS-13 is a transnational criminal organization originating in Los Angeles, California. It has since spread throughout Central America, including El Salvador, where it is considered one of the most violent and dangerous gangs.
The exception regime is a legal measure that allows law enforcement to conduct arrests without a judicial warrant, which President Bukele has employed in his fight against gangs.
The sentenced MS-13 members were convicted for crimes such as murder, extortion, home invasions, and drug trafficking.
