President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador has launched an extensive anti-gang initiative that has led to the imprisonment of tens of thousands of individuals. Emerging reports suggest that some law enforcement officers may have fabricated or used insufficient evidence to fulfill arrest targets, prompting questions about the campaign’s fairness and effectiveness.
Relatives of recently arrested men watched as detainees were transferred to prison in April 2022, marking the beginning of an aggressive campaign against gangs that has resulted in the incarceration of approximately 80,000 people. These revelations have intensified scrutiny on the legitimacy of the operation, with critics arguing that the high number of arrests could have been achieved without resorting to questionable tactics.
Bukele’s administration has defended the campaign as a necessary measure to combat gang violence, which has long plagued the country. However, as allegations of police misconduct and excessive arrests surface, the government faces mounting pressure to ensure the justice system remains transparent and accountable.