El Salvador seeks life imprisonment for 564 alleged leaders of a criminal group

The Salvadoran Public Ministry has requested life sentences for 564 alleged leaders of the Barrio 18 gang, linked to over 14,400 crimes. This case is being processed in a specialized court under mass trial procedures, covering offenses committed from 2012 to 2026. The parliament, controlled by President Nayib Bukele's party, approved legal reforms allowing mass trials under a state of emergency since March 2022. Critics argue these collective trials hinder fair defense access. The accused face serious charges, including rebellion and homicide. Recently, over 10,500 gang members have been sentenced under this regime, which has led to more than 96,000 arrests.