The Legislative Assembly of El Salvador approved a constitutional reform to introduce life imprisonment for murderers, rapists, and terrorists. The measure, proposed by President Nayib Bukele, passed with near-unanimous support in the assembly dominated by his Nuevas Ideas party. It raises the maximum penalty from the current 60 years for these specific crimes.
The change forms part of Bukele’s ongoing security push, which has included a state of exception since March 2022 to combat gangs. Homicide rates have dropped sharply under these policies, but the approach has drawn criticism over due process and prison conditions.
The reform targets “murderers, rapists and terrorists,” as stated in the proposal. Officials argue it addresses public demand for harsher penalties against violent offenders, including those linked to organized crime. The current penal code caps sentences at 60 years, even for multiple convictions. Judges have imposed accumulated terms exceeding hundreds or thousands of years in some gang-related cases, but the constitution has prohibited true life sentences.
Bukele’s administration has highlighted these long sentences as effective deterrents. In early this month, Vice President Félix Ulloa noted that a Supreme Court ruling allows cumulative penalties up to 300 or 400 years for multiple crimes tied to terrorism or criminal organizations, despite the constitutional ban on perpetual imprisonment.
The new constitutional amendment removes that barrier for the specified crimes. It aligns with prior changes that have toughened penalties for gang members, including elevated sentences for leaders and reduced age of criminal responsibility in some cases. The assembly, with a strong majority from Nuevas Ideas, has approved similar measures quickly. The state of exception extended repeatedly—including through this month—has enabled mass arrests and streamlined prosecutions.
Over 80,000 people have been detained since the emergency began. Authorities credit it with transforming El Salvador from one of the region’s most violent countries to one with low homicide levels. The reform fits this framework. It responds to persistent concerns over violent crime remnants, even as overall security has improved.
No immediate effective date was specified beyond the approval. The change requires publication and may involve implementation through penal code adjustments. Critics, including human rights groups, have raised concerns about expanding harsh penalties amid reports of arbitrary detentions and prison abuses in facilities like the Centro de Confinamiento del Terrorismo. Officials maintain the measures protect citizens and prioritize victims’ rights.
The assembly’s vote reflects strong legislative backing for Bukele’s security agenda. Further details on application await official clarification.
