For more than 40 years, El Salvador was the literal murder capital of the world. Crime was so intense, that the government reported that in 2015 there were 103 homocides per every 100,000 people. The majority of crime wasn't even reported because of the intimidation of the gangs. Most of the crime was committed by MS-13, A gang created by El Salvador refuges in LA during the 80's. In an effort to reduce crime, many presidents were accused of negotiating with the gangs to lower murders. The gangs controlled nearly 247 out of the 267 provinces and charged extortion fees to leave provinces. The gangs were so prevalent and powerful that they didn't even conceal their crimes with them instructiong witnesses to "hear, listen but dont tell"
Everything changed when a new political entity began to form. The gangs were controlling the majority of political parties, so Nayib Bukele began the "Nuevas Ideas" party. In 2019, He became the first president not to be from either of the two major political parties. As an entrepenuer, business leader and leftist, he began to lead massive changes within the country. Most predominantly of these was the crackdown on gang violence. In June of 2019, Bukele began implementing anti-gang policies to cut them off, consequently the country reached the lowest homocide rates since the end of the civil war: 18 per 100,000. Policies include deploying troops to areas with significant gang presences, increased funding for the police and extreme lockdowns in prisons. On the 27th of march, 2022 the legislative branch approved a special period of exception which increased the powers of the prosecution and gave the government the abilitity to monitor people without a warrant. It also drastically increased the punishments available for gang lords, from 6-9 years to 45-49 years in prison. In addition to this the government also lowered the age at which people could be prosecuted from 16 to 12.
On the 25th of may, the national civil polic announced they had arrested 34,500 people due to arrest quotas. This put immense strains on the budgets for prisons. Bukele denied increasing spending for the quality of life for prisoners claiming they were not important. Currently meals are rationed to twice a day and they are not allowed outside of their cells. Outside of their cells the government began to remove the headstones and graves of known gang members to prevent them from becoming martys. When asked about this the minister of justice claimed it to be like de-nazification, with the government also relating the gangs and nazis many times over. In 2023, a new superprison was announced capable of holding 40,000 inmates, TCC.
Politically, the government crackdowns have been considerably highly approved, 70% approve of the crackdowns and 85% approve of Bukeles leadership. Critics have said his ruthless pursuit of crime has crossed lines with civil liberties. Bukele has been well recieved among the international community, with many in south america copying his agenda in their political campaigns. Personally i'd be very glad to see law enforcement take harder stance, especially in cities with high crime rates like Seattle. Many questions are still remaining concerning the state of the nation, are the governments powers justified in this state of emergency? Is the treatment of prisoners in their detentions and jails fair? What about the lack of civil liberties? Is cereal a soup?
Replies
I peronallly think that it be way to strict for prisoners but I also think that this might be the solution to the problem. On the other hand I think that El Salvador government should take a more strict stance on it but it can result in good and bad thing for their community.
People may think that how the prisoners were treated was bad but the deserved it which I do agree with. But I don't think they needed to be treated that hard almost killing them. What I should think they done is something that is killing them, they could've at least think of something else.
I agree with you, the prisoners are sometimes treated a little too harshly. Some people may call it inhumane, and I agree they probably could've come up with something else. They need to protect the human rights that they have and be enforced by the law or at least strengthen their rights.
I think the treatment of the prisoners should be at least a decent state of living, but then again they have done horrible things to be in prison in the first place. I think if you are willing to hurt or harm somebody, you should be able to handle that same treatment.
I think the treatment was a win but I don't think the prisoners should have to get the treatment without their consent. I do think it could be a good thing if it was toned back a little bit. But If there are people that are out of control they should have to get the treatment.
I think that the treatment is deserved, but harsh. I think that they should have some way to pass the time such as cafts sports or weights. I don't really know what civil liberties are. Cereal does not fit the qualifications needed to be a soup.
I think that it was very successful and that the treatment of prisoners isn't fair but it is what they deserve because they have made the country worse in a very bad way. I think that cereal isn't a soup and it is a dumb argument becuase it is a waste of time and you could instead be making money.
I think that the treatment for prisoners is very necessary because there could be many fights and people could get very hurt and even die. So that is why I think that we need to have this because the prisoners have lives to and they need treatment.
I think that the treatment is deserved, but harsh. I think that they should have some way to pass the time such as board games, weights, and crafts. I don't really know what civil liberties are. Cereal does not fit the qualifications needed to be a soup.
Nayib Bukele, the president has spoken on this topic. In his defense, he claimed that it is punishment for the crimes they have committed. He has also said that the government will not take away funding from schools and hospitals to pay for criminals to live in luxury. In so far as passing the time, the gpvernment has recently put the prisoners to work building schools. If this is not appropriate punishment, would you be willing to provide a remedy in place of this/
-
1
-
2
-
3
-
4
of 4 Next