Over 240 Deaths in El Salvador Prisons Amid 'War on Gangs'

Bukele declared a "state of exception" in March 2022, suspending constitutional rights to combat rampant gang activity. Subsequently, over 80,000 individuals, representing more than 1% of the nation's population, were imprisoned with minimal evidence of gang ties and limited due process, in conditions likened to torture chambers.

According to the NGO report, 44% of the deaths were due to violence or severe torture, while 29% resulted from inadequate medical care.

Despite accusations of mass human rights violations, Bukele maintains popularity for drastically reducing homicide rates. This popularity led to his reelection in February, despite constitutional limitations on presidential terms.

Acknowledging errors in arrests, El Salvador's vice president admitted to releasing 7,000 individuals due to lack of evidence. The rights group estimates that 35% of those detained under the state of exception are innocent, emphasizing that 94% of the deceased had no gang affiliation.

The report highlights that the majority of those affected by the crackdown were working-class individuals, such as traders, cab drivers, farmers, and pastors.

Humanitarian Legal Relief calls for investigations into prison homicides and forced disappearances, urging the Salvadoran government to address these concerns.