El Salvador's extended crackdown on the country's gangs has led to abuses, including at least 86 detainees deaths while in custody, many showing signs of torture, suggesting "state responsibility," according to an independent report released on Wednesday.
The report by Human Rights Watch and Salvadoran justice non-profit Cristosal marks the latest critique of President Nayib Bukele's militarized offensive against gangs like Bario 18 and MS-13, after over 90 mostly civilians were gunned down in a single March weekend. Bukele then declared a temporary state of emergency, suspending some constitutional rights, while launching an unprecedented roundup of alleged gang members.
To date, more than 58,000 people have been arrested - including over 1,600 children - and prevented from mounting legal defenses, as the edict has been extended several times by Bukele's allies in Congress, according to the report.
