Image: from Eduardo Menoni X@eduardomenoni
By Open Chronicle Staff with Agencies | December 25, 2025
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador — In one of the most severe judicial rulings since President Nayib Bukele began his war on gangs, courts in El Salvador have handed down prison sentences totaling thousands of years to members of the Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13). The move signals a decisive, if controversial, consolidation of the government’s judicial offensive against criminal structures that once dominated the nation.
“Exemplary Sentences” for Century-Long Crimes
The Attorney General’s Office confirmed that 248 MS-13 members were sentenced for a litany of crimes committed between 2014 and 2022, including 42 murders and 42 forced disappearances.
The individual sentences are among the longest ever recorded in the region:
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Marvin Abel Hernández Palacios: Sentenced to a staggering 1,335 years in prison.
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Other Convicts: Ten other high-ranking gang members received terms ranging from 463 to 958 years.
Prosecutors described these as “exemplary sentences” meant to ensure that those responsible for decades of terror never return to society.
The State of Emergency: A Double-Edged Sword
Since March 2022, El Salvador has operated under a State of Emergency, a legal framework that has fundamentally reshaped the country’s security landscape.
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Mass Detentions: Over 90,000 people have been detained since the offensive began. While roughly 8,000 have been released due to a lack of evidence, the vast majority remain behind bars.
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The CECOT Megaprison: Many of the newly sentenced will serve their time in the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT), a massive, high-security facility designed specifically for “high-risk” gang leaders and members.
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Homicide Reduction: The government points to a historic plunge in homicide rates—once among the highest in the world—as proof that the strategy is working.
A Legacy of Blood and Territory
For three decades, MS-13 and its rival, Barrio 18, exerted near-total control over 80% of El Salvador’s territory. Estimates suggest the gangs were responsible for 200,000 deaths since the end of the civil war. Their grip on the economy was equally tight, forcing thousands of small business owners to pay “war taxes” (extortion) or face execution.
“Some people were forced to shut down their businesses out of fear,” the Attorney General’s Office stated, highlighting the economic devastation caused by gang dominance.
International Debate and Human Rights
While the Bukele administration enjoys high domestic approval for the restored safety in local neighborhoods, the international community remains divided.
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Human Rights Concerns: Organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have reported widespread abuses, including arbitrary detentions and a lack of due process in mass trials.
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U.S. Designation: Earlier this year, the United States designated MS-13 as a terrorist organization, aligning with Bukele’s rhetoric but maintaining pressure on the administration to respect the rule of law.
| Key Statistic | Figure |
| Total Detained | 90,000+ |
| Crimes in Case | 42 Murders, 42 Disappearances |
| Maximum Sentence | 1,335 Years |
| Peak Territory Control | 80% of the Country |
The Future of the Offensive
The sentencing of these 248 members marks a transition from the “capture phase” to the “judicial phase” of Bukele’s security plan. As El Salvador enters 2026, the world continues to watch whether this “iron fist” model can provide long-term stability or if the cost of judicial guarantees will lead to future instability.