In El Salvador, the human rights organization Cristosal reported that 261 individuals have lost their lives in prisons over the course of President Nayib Bukele’s 2 1/2-year campaign against street gangs. Bukele’s government, operating under a state of emergency declared in 2022 and still ongoing, has detained 81,110 individuals suspected of gang affiliation. Critics argue that these apprehensions are frequently arbitrary, influenced by appearance or address, resulting in the release of about 7,000 individuals due to insufficient evidence.

According to Cristosal, as of April 15, 88 of the 261 fatalities “may have been the result of a criminal act,” without further clarification on the nature of these acts. The report detailed that 87 deaths were attributed to illnesses, 14 to apparent violence, and the remaining 72 had undetermined causes.

Lawyer Zaira Navas, the author of the report, highlighted the dire circumstances leading to deaths in Salvadoran prisons, such as torture, inadequate sustenance, unsanitary conditions, neglect, and cruel treatment, emphasizing a deliberate disregard for the rights of incarcerated individuals.

The government has not yet responded to the report’s findings. Despite allegations of widespread human rights violations during the crackdown, Bukele maintains significant popularity in El Salvador due to a substantial decrease in homicide rates post-detentions. The country transformed from one of the most perilous nations globally to boasting the lowest homicide rate in the region.

Bukele secured re-election in February, although the nation’s constitution prohibits presidents from serving consecutive terms. In a separate April report by Humanitarian Legal Relief, it was estimated that at least 241 individuals had died in Salvadoran prisons since the onset of the government’s anti-gang campaign.