A group of international jurists yesterday, accused the government of Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele of committing crimes against humanity, including torture and disappearances, in its war against gangs. The offensive has unfolded under a state of emergency that allows arrests without a judicial warrant and that, in nearly four years, has sent about 90,000 people to prison, of whom some 8,000 w...
The strongest version of this narrative highlights a critical tension between security and human rights in El Salvador. President Bukele’s crackdown on gangs has undeniably reduced violence, making him popular both domestically and regionally. However, the allegations of systemic human rights abuses—backed by international jurists and NGOs—paint a darker picture of state overreach, including arbitrary detentions, torture, and forced disappearances. The government’s denial of these claims, couple...