El Salvador’s Congress has approved a constitutional amendment permitting life imprisonment for serious crimes, marking a significant escalation in the country’s ongoing crackdown on criminal gangs.
The reform, backed by President Nayib Bukele, allows courts to impose life sentences for offenses including murder, rape, and terrorism. Previously, while courts could issue sentences exceeding 100 years, the maximum time an individual could actually serve was capped at 60 years.
Lawmakers passed the amendment on Tuesday with overwhelming support, as 59 members voted in favor and only one opposed.
Ahead of the vote, President Bukele defended the move in a social media post, challenging critics to justify keeping constitutional limits that prevent lifelong imprisonment for serious offenders.
The reform comes amid a broader and controversial security strategy led by Bukele’s government to dismantle powerful criminal gangs that have long plagued the country.
However, the constitutional change follows growing international concern. Just a week earlier, a group of legal experts warned there are “reasonable grounds” to believe that crimes against humanity may have occurred under the country’s ongoing state of exception.
The emergency measure, introduced four years ago, has granted security forces sweeping powers and led to the detention of more than 90,000 people. Reports indicate that around 500 detainees have died while in state custody, raising serious human rights concerns.
Despite criticism, the government maintains that its aggressive policies are necessary to restore public safety and combat gang violence, which has historically made El Salvador one of the most dangerous countries in the region.
The latest constitutional reform underscores the administration’s determination to intensify its hardline approach, even as scrutiny from the international community continues to grow.