El Salvador’s Mass Trial of Alleged MS-13 Members Concludes

The three-month long trial of 485 alleged members of the Mara Salvatrucha gang, commonly known as MS-13, has ended in El Salvador. Prosecutors have sought maximum sentences for the accused on charges that include homicide, extortion, and trafficking of drugs, arms, and humans. The trial has faced criticism from human rights groups, citing concerns over defendants’ rights during the state of emergency in place since March 2022. This state of emergency has led to the suspension of some constitutional rights, resulting in the detention of tens of thousands of Salvadorans.

According to Juan Pappier, Americas deputy director for Human Rights Watch, the judicial process lacks credible evidence and a fair defense, suggesting that mass convictions are being used to legitimize wrongful arrests. Prosecutors claim the gang members are connected to 14,420 crimes, including 444 killings, perpetrated between 2012 and 2022. The prosecution demands the maximum penalty for each crime, potentially resulting in life imprisonment and a collective civil damage of $9 million.

The U.S. classifies MS-13 as a foreign terrorist organization. Prosecution evidence includes records implicating the gang in using 1,200 children for criminal activities, exploiting 638 women, and organizing 32 groups, with two operating outside El Salvador. The court presented audio recordings allegedly capturing gang leaders ordering crimes.

Due to reforms of the criminal code in July 2023, El Salvador now permits collective trials for accused individuals held under the state of emergency, grouped by their gang affiliations or territories. Since the state of emergency was implemented, over 92,480 people accused of gang involvement have been jailed. President Nayib Bukele claims the release of 8,000 innocent people; however, human rights groups report over 6,000 human rights complaints and more than 547 custody deaths.

The trial occurred virtually, with defendants appearing from the Terrorism Confinement Center, or CECOT, a facility where visitation, recreation, and education are restricted. This megaprison also houses migrants deported from the U.S. It’s unclear when the verdict will be announced.

This second mass trial follows the conviction of 45 Barrio 18 gang members last November. Among those sentenced, a gang leader received a 397-year prison term. Leading the current MS-13 trial are gang figures such as Dionisio Arístides Umanzor Osorio, Borromeo Henríquez Solórzano, Carlos Tiberio Ramírez Valladares, and César Antonio López Larios.