Bukele alters Constitution to endorse life imprisonment in El Salvador El Salvador’s Legislative Assembly, controlled by the ruling party Nuevas Ideas (NI), approved a constitutional reform on Tuesday that permits life sentences for individuals convicted of murder, rape, and terrorism. The measure, introduced by President Nayib Bukele, was passed by 59 pro-government deputies, their allies, and two opposition members without prior debate or study. The reform modifies Article 27 of the Constitution, which previously prohibited life imprisonment, to allow it only for the specified crimes. Bukele announced the reform following the release of a report by international legal experts accusing his government of committing crimes against humanity during the state of emergency that has been in place since 2022. The president had previously warned that the reform would face opposition, stating, “We’ll see who supports this reform and who dares to defend the Constitution’s continued prohibition against murderers and rapists remaining in prison.” The revised Article 27 now explicitly states that life imprisonment shall only be imposed on murderers, rapists, and terrorists, while prohibiting other forms of indefinite detention, including imprisonment for debt or torture. This contradicts the current constitutional framework, which limits prison terms to a maximum of 60 years. However, in December 2025, the Attorney General’s Office secured sentences of up to 1,000 years for gang members, a move that has drawn criticism from legal experts. Justice and Security Minister Gustavo Villatoro defended the reform during a press conference, accusing human rights organizations of hypocrisy. He claimed that these groups had previously championed victims’ rights only to later label law enforcement officers as perpetrators.#el_salvador #nayib_bukele #nuevas_ideas #gustavo_villatoro #state_of_emergency
El Salvador reforms constitution to allow for life sentences El Salvador's Congress approved a constitutional amendment on Tuesday, enabling life sentences for crimes such as murder, rape, and terrorism. This reform, part of President Nayib Bukele's ongoing efforts to combat the country's criminal gangs, allows for sentences that could theoretically last a lifetime, though the law previously limited actual time served to 60 years for sentences exceeding 100 years. The amendment passed with the backing of 59 lawmakers, with one voting against the measure. Bukele expressed his support for the reform on social media, stating that the amendment would clarify the legal stance on punishing serious crimes, emphasizing that the constitution should not shield perpetrators of violence from prison. The reform comes amid heightened scrutiny of the government's actions, including a recent report by a group of international lawyers who claimed there are "reasonable grounds" to believe crimes against humanity occurred during the country's controversial state of exception, which Bukele's administration imposed four years ago. The state of exception, a period of heightened security measures, allowed authorities to detain over 90,000 individuals. Of these, approximately 500 have died in custody. The amendment is part of a broader crackdown on organized crime, which has been a persistent challenge for El Salvador, where gangs have long been a source of instability and violence. The law's expansion of sentencing options reflects the government's determination to address public safety concerns, though it has also drawn criticism from human rights advocates.#el_salvador #nayib_bukele #congress_el_salvador #state_of_exception #international_lawyers_group
El Salvador's Bukele Pushes Through Life Sentences in Nation with Over 1% Prison Population El Salvador’s Congress approved a constitutional amendment on Tuesday, enabling life sentences for criminals, as part of President Nayib Bukele’s sweeping reforms aimed at combating the country’s gang violence. The measure, backed by Bukele’s ruling party, allows for indefinite incarceration, a move critics argue undermines judicial safeguards and deepens concerns about the erosion of democratic norms. The amendment comes amid a national prison population exceeding 1% of the total population, a figure driven by Bukele’s aggressive crackdown on gangs since 2022. The reform was fast-tracked by Bukele’s security cabinet and passed with overwhelming support, securing approval from 59 of 60 lawmakers. It is set to be finalized next week, joining a series of constitutional changes that have drawn sharp criticism from legal experts and human rights advocates. These reforms, including the removal of presidential term limits in August 2025, have been labeled as efforts to consolidate power, with Bukele’s second term in office widely regarded as a constitutional violation. Bukele’s push for life sentences follows a prolonged state of emergency declared in March 2022, which has suspended key constitutional rights and led to the detention of approximately 91,300 individuals. The measure, initially intended as a temporary tool, has been extended for nearly four years, sparking allegations of arbitrary arrests. Human rights groups have documented widespread abuses, including mass trials, limited access to legal representation, and the detention of individuals without sufficient evidence. Bukele has dismissed these claims, asserting that 8,000 innocent people have been released from custody.#el_salvador #nayib_bukele #congress_el_salvador #state_of_emergency_2022 #human_rights_groups
