According to the organization Humanitarian Legal Relief, at least 241 people have died in El Salvador prisons since President Nayib Bukele declared a “war on gangs” two years ago. The organization received 500 reports of deaths in state custody, confirming about half, including two minors. Last year, 126 deaths were documented, but this year, the number has doubled to 241. The conditions in the prisons have been described as torture chambers. Of the deaths, 44% were due to violent death or serious torture, and 29% were due to lack of medical attention.
In March 2022, Bukele announced a “state of exception,” suspending many constitutional rights to combat the gangs that have plagued El Salvador. As a result, 80,000 people have been arrested and thrown into prison, more than 1% of the country’s population. However, many of these arrests lack evidence of ties to gangs and due process has been limited. Despite accusations of mass human rights violations, Bukele remains popular in the country as the homicide rates have significantly decreased following the detentions. El Salvador, once one of the most dangerous countries in the world, now has the lowest homicide rate in the region.
The government has already released 7,000 people due to lack of evidence, and the vice president acknowledged in January that mistakes had been made in the arrests. The rights group estimates that 35% of those arrested in the two years of the state of exception are innocent, and 94% of the deceased had no gang affiliation. The majority of those who died were working individuals, such as informal traders, cab drivers, farmers, fishermen, evangelical pastors, municipal employees, and a trade unionist. Humanitarian Legal Relief is calling for an investigation into the homicides that have occurred in prisons and the forced disappearances of detainees.
Despite the criticism and allegations of human rights abuses, President Bukele was re-elected in February, even though the country’s constitution prohibits second terms for presidents. The government’s crackdown on gangs has been effective in reducing homicide rates, which has contributed to Bukele’s continued popularity. However, the true impact of these arrests and the conditions in the prisons have raised concerns among human rights organizations. It is crucial for the government to address these issues, including investigating the deaths in prisons and the disappearances of detainees, to ensure justice and accountability for all individuals affected by the “war on gangs.”
