El Salvador’s legislature passes constitutional reform for life imprisonment for murderers, rapists and terrorists, backed by President Nayib Bukele
SAN SALVADOR: Salvadoran lawmakers have passed a constitutional reform to allow life imprisonment for murderers, rapists and terrorists.
The legislature, dominated by President Nayib Bukele’s ruling party, voted nearly unanimously to increase the maximum sentence for these crimes from the current 60 years.
Security Minister Gustavo Villatoro brought the matter before the voting body, stating the move was part of the ongoing war against terrorists.
“That is why we are requesting life imprisonment for this type of criminal,” he said, later clarifying it included “murderers and rapists.”
A close ally of US President Donald Trump, Bukele calls himself the “world’s coolest dictator” and rules under a state of emergency declared in 2022.
During this period, authorities have arrested 91,000 people, acting without warrants and accusing detainees of gang affiliation.
The crackdown has reduced homicide rates to historic lows but has generated criticism of human rights violations.
Last week, the NGO Cristosal released a report alleging Bukele’s government is holding dozens of political prisoners captive.
Bukele has waved off criticism of his security agenda in a post on social media platform X.
“We will see who supports this reform and who dares to defend the idea that the Constitution should continue prohibiting murderers and rapists from remaining in prison,” he wrote.