As El Salvador grapples with an ongoing state of exception, the government is moving forward with mass trials against approximately 91,000 people detained. This unprecedented legal action is part of President Nayib Bukele’s aggressive anti-gang campaign, which has drawn both support and criticism.
On April 7, 2026, the documentary “The Deal: Trump, Bukele & the Gangs of El Salvador” is set to premiere, shedding light on Bukele’s controversial policies and his deal with former President Donald Trump. This agreement reportedly involved imprisoning deportees accused of gang affiliations.
The Salvadoran government has approved life imprisonment for gang members, including minors, and mass trials are now underway, with 20,000 detainees grouped together. The attorney general’s office has promised 3,000 indictments in the first quarter, aiming to expedite the legal process.
However, the trials raise significant concerns about due process. Many detainees, like Williams Díaz, who was arrested while heading to work, await trial in a mega-prison designed for gang members. Young individuals like Jonathan, a 24-year-old maquila worker, find themselves unjustly categorized within gangs like Mara Salvatrucha.
Critics argue that the reforms to the organized crime law have eliminated crucial hearings where evidence is evaluated, increasing the risk of wrongful convictions. An anonymous lawyer stated, “From the moment they group them together, they are declaring them guilty.”
Human Rights Watch has documented numerous detentions based on anonymous tips and neighborhood disputes, raising alarms about the potential for abuse. Reports indicate that around 500 deaths have occurred in prisons under the state of exception.
Despite these controversies, Bukele maintains a strong grip on power, controlling all branches of the state and enjoying popularity for his efforts to curb gang violence. However, the consequences of his policies are severe, with many families facing the anguish of wrongful arrests.
As the situation unfolds, the implications of these mass trials and the ongoing crackdown on gangs will be felt across El Salvador. The exact number of wrongful arrests remains unclear, and details about the deal between Trump and Bukele are still unconfirmed.
In a chilling reflection of the current climate, Reynaldo Santos, a detainee’s family member, described the situation as “Russian roulette, anguish, an ordeal.” Gladis Villatoro, another family member, warned, “They will never get out.” The stakes are high as El Salvador navigates this turbulent chapter in its history.
