El Salvador starts a big trial of many gang members
El Salvador starts a big trial of many gang members
Introduction
On Thursday, El Salvador started a big trial. The trial is for 486 people. They are from a gang called MS-13. The president wants to stop crime.
Main Body
The trial is in a big prison. 220 people are there. Many others join by video. The police say these people did many bad things. They killed 29,000 people. They did 47,000 crimes. The crimes are from 2012 to 2022. Some leaders have strange names. For example, ''The little devil of Hollywood'' and ''Snaider of Pasadena''. A witness said the gang hurt people with fire. The president says this trial is like the Nuremberg trial. People cannot watch the trial. Some people say this is not fair. Human rights groups worry about innocent people. The government arrested 90,000 people. Many were let go. The government says crime is down. But some groups say there are problems. They say police hurt people. Also, the US said the government talked to gangs. The government did not answer.
Conclusion
The trial is part of the president''s plan. Many people in El Salvador like it. But other countries say it is not fair.
Vocabulary Learning
Sentence Learning
El Salvador Starts Mass Trial of Hundreds of Alleged MS-13 Gang Members During Ongoing State of Emergency
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
Sentence Learning
El Salvador Commences Mass Trial of Hundreds of Alleged MS-13 Gang Members Amid Ongoing State of Emergency
Introduction
On Thursday, El Salvador initiated a mass trial of 486 suspected members of the Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) gang at the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) prison, as part of President Nayib Bukele''s intensified crackdown on organized crime.
Main Body
The trial, held in the prison''s main hall, involves 220 defendants physically present, with hundreds more appearing remotely from other facilities. Prosecutors accuse the group of collectively 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 approximately 20 alleged leaders, including individuals identified as ''The little devil of Hollywood'' and ''Snaider of Pasadena.'' During proceedings, a witness testified to acts of torture, including burning of genitals. President Bukele has compared the mass trial to the Nuremberg trials of Nazi leaders. The trial is closed to the public, and critics argue that such proceedings violate due process. Human rights organizations have expressed concern that innocent individuals may be swept 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. However, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights has reiterated 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 engaged in covert negotiations with gangs, a claim the administration has not publicly addressed. 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 represents a continuation of Bukele''s controversial anti-gang strategy, which has garnered broad domestic support but drawn international criticism over its impact on civil liberties and judicial fairness.