Bukele's anti-gang policy under scrutiny

President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador, who has been in office since 2019, made strong statements against gang members, vowing "hell" for those involved. His approach has been a central part of his administration's security strategy.

State of exception and mass detentions

In 2022, Bukele declared a state of exception, allowing for the arrest of gang members without the usual legal procedures. This measure led to the detention of over 93,000 people, many of whom were held without formal charges.

Legal process lags behind detentions

According to the country's attorney general, only 10% of those detained under the state of exception have been formally charged or brought to trial. This gap between arrests and legal proceedings has raised concerns about due process.

Human rights groups express concern

Human rights organizations have long criticized the lack of judicial oversight in Bukele's anti-gang campaign. The recent figures from the attorney general's office have reinforced these concerns, highlighting potential legal and ethical issues.