kritika 
(C): X
A mother’s final meeting with her son came not in a prison visiting room, but when his body was returned in a bag. Her account captures the human cost of El Salvador’s prison crackdown, as rights groups warn about mass arrests and deaths in custody.
From emergency powers to mass arrests
In March 2022, President Nayib Bukele declared a state of emergency in response to a series of gang killings that took place. It extended police powers and curtailed some legal rights. The government claims its efforts have improved communities’ safety over the years, despite gang violence.
In early 2026, civil society groups estimated the prison population at more than 130,000, while the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) reported more than 91,500 arrests.
Families say innocent people were caught
Julio César Santamaría Flores, 32, a mechanic, was arrested in December 2022, allegedly for being “involved in gangs,” says his mother, Idalia Flores. She collected evidence and letters to show that he had a clean record, but says that was ignored.
“He was arrested and I last saw him until they brought him to me in a bag.” She felt that his body indicated that he had been beaten very much.
Sandra Carolina Velasco Mena says that the police and soldiers raided their home, taking her 22-year-old son, Jefferson. Later, she says, a judge ordered his release, but he was sent to the high-security CECOT prison. Since then, she has never seen him again.
Reports of abuse and deaths in custody
Former detainees have described beatings, hunger, poor medical care and overcrowded cells. Journalist Víctor Barahona, detained for nearly a year, said he lost 80 pounds and developed infections. Human Rights Watch has reported pressure on police to meet arrest targets, raising fears that weak or false accusations were used, especially in poor neighbourhoods.
Cristosal, a human rights group, reported at least 513 deaths in state custody during the emergency. Rights monitors have documented allegations of torture, unlawful detention and other abuse. The government rejects claims of official wrongdoing and says emergency powers are needed to protect the public.
Security at what cost?
The fall in killings has won Bukele strong public support. But rights groups warn that long detentions, closed hearings and mass trials can make it difficult to challenge accusations or prove innocence. In 2024, Bukele said 8,000 people detained under emergency powers had been found innocent and released, while rejecting higher estimates of wrongful arrests.
The question is whether safety can last without fair trials, accountability and the right to defend oneself. For families still searching for answers, the crackdown is not just a security policy. It is a wait for justice and for a loved one who may never come home.
Explore the Latest Human Rights and Immigration Developments
1. Are Human Rights Under Threat in El Salvador?
Uncover the UN’s concerns about human rights violations and their impact on vulnerable communities.
2. Can Transgender People Secure Equal Rights?
Discover the ongoing fight for equality, protection, and acceptance among transgender people in El Salvador.
3. Are US Jobs and Work Permits Safe?
Find out how deportation protections affect Ukrainians and Sudanese workers facing immigration uncertainty.
4. Could Asylum Rulings Affect Workers’ Futures?
Look into how the DHS ruling may impact workers with pending asylum cases.
5. Will Haiti TPS Changes Threaten Workers’ Jobs?
Explore how the end of Haiti TPS protections could affect workers’ employment and immigration status.
