A recent rights report has shed light on the actions of the government of El Salvador in its crackdown on street gangs, revealing concerning statistics and practices. According to the report, a total of 3,319 underage suspects have been arrested, with 579 of them sentenced to prison terms. The report highlighted that these minors have often been subjected to inhumane conditions, including being held in facilities alongside adults, lack of adequate food, health care, family contact, and protection from abuse.
As of January, 841 minors were still in custody, with allegations that authorities coerced some into making false confessions through abusive plea deals and mistreatment. Many of the convictions were for offenses like 'unlawful association,' which carry harsh sentences based on questionable evidence.
The report also mentioned that during the crackdown, at least 261 individuals have died in prisons, raising concerns about potential criminal acts contributing to these deaths. The government's state of emergency, initiated in 2022, led to the detention of 81,110 suspected gang members, with around 7,000 individuals released due to insufficient evidence.
Despite criticism of mass human rights abuses, President Nayib Bukele's administration remains popular in El Salvador due to a significant drop in homicide rates following the crackdown. The country, once known for its high crime rates, now boasts the lowest homicide rate in the region. Bukele's popularity was evident as he secured reelection in February, despite constitutional limitations on presidential terms.
The government's actions have sparked concerns among human rights organizations, with calls for greater accountability and protection of the rights of minors and detainees in El Salvador.
