El Salvador Starts Mass Trial of Hundreds of Alleged MS-13 Gang Members During Ongoing State of Emergency

Apr 24, 2026, 09:48

Introduction

On Thursday, El Salvador started a mass trial of 486 suspected members of the MS-13 gang at the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) prison. This is part of President Nayib Bukele''s intensified crackdown on organized crime.

Main Body

The trial is being held in the prison''s main hall, with 220 defendants present in person and hundreds more appearing remotely from other facilities. Prosecutors accused the group of committing more than 29,000 murders and over 47,000 total crimes, including extortion and arms trafficking, between 2012 and 2022. Among the defendants are about 20 alleged leaders, including individuals known as ''The little devil of Hollywood'' and ''Snaider of Pasadena.'' During the proceedings, a witness testified about acts of torture, including burning of genitals. President Bukele compared the mass trial to the Nuremberg trials of Nazi leaders. The trial is closed to the public, and critics argued that such proceedings violate due process. Human rights organizations expressed concern that innocent people may be caught up in the process. The state of emergency, imposed in March 2022, has led to the arrest of over 90,000 people, many of whom were later released. The government credits the crackdown with reducing the homicide rate to 1.3 per 100,000 in 2024, down from 7.8 in 2022. Furthermore, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights repeated concerns about rights violations, including reports of torture and over 500 deaths in custody. Additionally, the United States alleged in 2021 that Bukele''s government held secret negotiations with gangs, a claim the administration has not responded to publicly. Supporters of Bukele argue that his policies have restored security to a country once considered the murder capital of the world.

Conclusion

The mass trial is a continuation of Bukele''s controversial anti-gang strategy, which has received broad domestic support but attracted international criticism over its impact on civil liberties and judicial fairness.

Vocabulary Learning

crackdown
A severe or repressive measure against illegal activity嚴厲打擊
Example:President Bukele's intensified crackdown on organized crime has led to mass arrests.
due process
Fair treatment through the normal judicial system正當法律程序
Example:Critics argued that such proceedings violate due process.
extortion
The practice of obtaining something, especially money, through force or threats勒索
Example:Prosecutors accused the group of committing extortion and arms trafficking.
state of emergency
A situation of national danger or disaster where normal legal procedures may be suspended緊急狀態
Example:The state of emergency, imposed in March 2022, has led to the arrest of over 90,000 people.
testified
Gave evidence as a witness in a legal proceeding作證
Example:During the proceedings, a witness testified about acts of torture.

Sentence Learning

The trial is being held in the prison's main hall, with 220 defendants present in person and hundreds more appearing remotely from other facilities.
Passive voice (is being held) emphasizes the action rather than the doer. The 'with' phrase adds descriptive detail about the defendants.被動語態（is being held）強調動作而非執行者。'with' 短語補充描述被告的情況。
Prosecutors accused the group of committing more than 29,000 murders and over 47,000 total crimes, including extortion and arms trafficking, between 2012 and 2022.
Active voice with a clear subject (prosecutors) and object (group). 'Including' introduces examples, making the list more specific.主動語態，主語（檢察官）和賓語（集團）明確。'including' 引入例子，使列舉更具體。
The state of emergency, imposed in March 2022, has led to the arrest of over 90,000 people, many of whom were later released.
Relative clause 'many of whom' refers to people, providing additional information. Passive voice 'were released' shifts focus to the people arrested.關係從句 'many of whom' 指代人，提供補充信息。被動語態 'were released' 將焦點轉移到被捕者。
Furthermore, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights repeated concerns about rights violations, including reports of torture and over 500 deaths in custody.
Linking word 'Furthermore' adds information. 'Including' introduces specific examples of violations.連接詞 'Furthermore' 添加信息。'including' 引入具體侵犯例子。
The mass trial is a continuation of Bukele's controversial anti-gang strategy, which has received broad domestic support but attracted international criticism over its impact on civil liberties and judicial fairness.
Relative clause 'which has received... but attracted...' uses 'but' to show contrast between domestic support and international criticism.關係從句 'which has received... but attracted...' 使用 'but' 顯示國內支持與國際批評的對比。