Politics Country February 05, 2025

Divided Opinions on President Bukele's Criminal Detention Proposal

Salvadorans express mixed feelings regarding President Nayib Bukele's proposal to detain 'criminals' on Tuesday, reflecting a broader national divide over security policies.


Divided Opinions on President Bukele's Criminal Detention Proposal

On Tuesday, among the residents of El Salvador, there is a noticeable division regarding President Nayib Bukele's proposal to create a "super effective isolation regime" for "dangerous criminals fighting for Islamic groupings" from national indigenous gangs, with one prognosis for a quick judicial process. This proposal was voiced after a series of killings that occurred in prison during a battle between members of the Mara Salvatrucha gang and other rival gangs, after which 62 people died. Due to the potential for escalation of the conflict, President Bukele proposed creating such a regime for these criminals and assured that they would not be connected with their associates outside the prison walls. Some citizens support the president's idea, convinced that it will help reduce crime, while others have expressed concerns about potential human rights violations in the event this proposal is realized. Human rights organizations emphasize government actions from violations of the constitution, claiming that this proposal violates the fundamental rights of detainees, guaranteed by law. "To push detainees into the street outside our country is illegal and a gross violation of the constitution," stated a representative of the National Association for Human Rights of El Salvador.