Salvador: El ‘s Ongoing Anti-Gang Measures and Mass Trials

In El Salvador, the government has been implementing stringent anti-gang measures for the past four years, marked by a state of exception aimed at combating gang violence. As of April 2026, significant developments have unfolded, particularly regarding mass trials and the treatment of detainees.

On April 7, 2026, the documentary ‘The Deal: Trump, Bukele & the Gangs of El Salvador’ premiered, shedding light on President Nayib Bukele’s controversial agreement with former President Donald Trump. This deal involved the imprisonment of deportees accused of gang affiliations, further complicating the landscape of justice in the country.

Currently, approximately 91,000 individuals are detained under the state of exception, with mass trials set to proceed against 20,000 of these detainees. The attorney general’s office has promised 3,000 indictments in the first quarter of the year, aiming to expedite the judicial process for alleged gang members.

Among those detained is Williams Díaz, who was arrested while commuting to work and is now awaiting trial in a mega-prison designed for gang members. Similarly, Jonathan, a 24-year-old maquila worker, finds himself grouped with around 80 others in a Mara Salvatrucha clique, facing the grim reality of mass trials.

The legal framework surrounding these trials has raised concerns, as reforms to the organized crime law have eliminated critical hearings where evidence is evaluated. Critics argue that this undermines due process, increasing the risk of wrongful convictions. An anonymous lawyer noted, “From the moment they group them together, they are declaring them guilty.”

Human Rights Watch has documented numerous detentions initiated by anonymous tips and neighborhood disputes, highlighting the potential for abuse in the system. Reports indicate that over 500 deaths have occurred in prisons under the state of exception, raising alarms about the conditions faced by detainees.

Gladis Villatoro, a family member of a detainee, expressed the dire situation, stating, “Some will pay for others. If they convict one, they convict the whole group.” This sentiment reflects the pervasive fear and uncertainty among families affected by the government’s aggressive stance against gangs.

Despite the controversies and reports of wrongful arrests, Bukele maintains a strong grip on power, controlling all branches of the state and enjoying popularity for his efforts to reduce gang-related violence. However, the implications of these mass trials and the treatment of detainees continue to spark debate both locally and internationally.

As the situation evolves, the exact number of wrongful arrests remains unclear, and details of the deal between Trump and Bukele are still unconfirmed. The future of El Salvador’s anti-gang measures and their impact on civil liberties will be closely monitored in the coming months.