Major Legal Action Against Notorious Gang
In a significant judicial development, El Salvador has imposed lengthy prison sentences on over 240 individuals affiliated with the Mara Salvatrucha, commonly known as MS-13. The Central American nation's attorney general's office announced that 248 gang members received what it described as "exemplary sentences" for their involvement in 42 homicides and 42 disappearances, along with other criminal activities.
Among those sentenced, Marvin Abel Hernandez Palacios was given 1,335 years behind bars, while ten others received prison terms ranging from 463 to 958 years. These crimes were reportedly committed between 2014 and 2022.
Government's Anti-Gang Campaign
This legal action forms part of a broader security initiative launched by Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele. Since March 2022, under a state of emergency permitting warrantless arrests, authorities have detained more than 90,000 people suspected of gang involvement. Official reports indicate approximately 8,000 individuals have been released after being found not guilty.
While Bukele's campaign has significantly reduced homicide rates to historic lows in El Salvador, human rights organizations have raised concerns about potential abuses by security forces during the crackdown.
Gang's Destructive Impact
According to Salvadoran government estimates, MS-13 and another gang called Barrio 18 have been responsible for approximately 200,000 deaths over three decades. At their peak, these criminal organizations controlled about 80 percent of the country, contributing to El Salvador having one of the world's highest homicide rates.
The Attorney General's office detailed how these groups extorted business owners, demanding various amounts of money in exchange for not harming them. "Some people had to close their businesses out of fear of the threats," the office added.
Origins and Regional Influence
MS-13 originated in Los Angeles during the 1980s, founded by Salvadoran immigrants who had fled civil war in their homeland. The brutal gang has since expanded its operations to Guatemala and Honduras, transforming the region into one of the world's most violent areas. This violent presence in Central America has become a significant factor driving thousands of migrants to seek refuge in the United States.
Earlier this year, the United States officially designated MS-13 as a terrorist organization. President Trump characterized the group as "probably the meanest, worst gang in the world" and described its members as "an evil group of people. They're sick and deranged."
